Stony Brook Student to Compete in National Geographic Bee

WESTFORD, MA - Saketh Jonnalagadda of Stony Brook Middle School will be one of 54 students across the country to compete in the 28th annual National Geographic Bee in Washington D.C.

The participants, who range in age from 10 to 14, will be competing for the chance to be the 2016 national champion and win one of three college scholarships.

The champion will receive a $50,000 scholarship and be a lifetime member of the National Geographic Society.

The national champion will also travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, on a Lindblad expedition to southeast Alaska aboard National Geographic Sea Lion, including a stop at Glacier Bay National Park, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

Second and third place winners will receive $25,000 and $10,000 respectively.

The 54 finalists, winners of their National Geographic State Bees, represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.

The preliminary round will begin on May 23 and the finals will be held on May 25.