FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JASON WALKER WINS CLARK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL GEOGRAPHIC BEE

Moves One Step Closer to $25,000 College Scholarship

Jason Walker wins school-level Geography Bee

CHELSEA, MA, 1/4/12 - Jason Walker, a 7th grade student at the Clark Avenue Middle School, won the school­-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 3rd, 2012 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school­-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. This year's Bee is sponsored by Google (visit site).

The kickoff for this year's Bee was the week of November 14, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Jason, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee March 30, 2012.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all­-expenses-­paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the Bee national championship rounds May 22-24, 2012. The first­place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip to the Galápagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic (visit site).

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 24. The program will air on television. Check local listings for dates and times.

Everyone can test their geography knowledge with the exciting GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at NationalGeographic.com, which poses 10 new questions a day, or by downloading the "National Geographic GeoBee Challenge" app, with more than 1,000 questions culled from past Bees, from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad; from the Adroid Market; or for Nook Color.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,600 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit NationalGeographic.com.

CONTACTS:

Mary Leverone, Principal, 617-466-5100
Bryan Sheckman, Grade 7 World Geography Teacher and Lead History Teacher

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