Newfield School Student Advances in National Geographic Bee

Newfield Elementary School has announced that fourth-grader Thomas Surette won the school’s competition of the National Geographic Bee.

By winning the Jan. 15 competition, Surette has qualified to compete in the first round of the state competition, which brings him closer to the overall prize of a $50,000 college scholarship.

Scofield Magnet Middle School students will compete in a similar school competition on Jan. 26, to determine who from Scofield will qualify to compete in the first round of the state competition.

The three Newfield finalists, Logan Chambers, Thomas Surette, and Nicola Andrzejewski answered a number of questions on geography as part of the 28th annual National Geographic Bee. The students were required to answer some questions orally while other answers were written on individual white boards.

“This enrichment opportunity allowed us to embed geography into the daily fabric of the day,” Principal Lisa Saba Price said in a statement. “I am very proud of Tommy and all of the students who participated.”

Thousands of schools across the United States, and in five U.S. territories, are participating in the 2016 Bee. The school champions from each participating school will take a test online. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state are eligible to compete in their state Bee, scheduled for April 1.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for each state winner, where they will participate in the national championship rounds in May. The first-place national champion will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, including a subscription to National Geographic Magazine, and a National Geographic expedition trip to a national park in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

Photo credit: Stamford Public Schools.