Ashburn Student Wins $1,000 in Nat-Geo Bee

One Ashburn seventh-grader certainly knows his way around pretty well. Akhil Rekulapelli, a student at Stone Hill Middle School, took fourth place in the National Geographic Geography Bee that aired Thursday night.

While Akhil did not win the top prize, a $25,000 scholarship, he did come home with $1,000 in cash.

Sathwik Karnik, of Massachusetts, won the contest, the $25,000 scholarship and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society. Sathwick edged out Conrad Oberhaus, of Illinois, who won a $15,000 scholarship.

Akhil and Ricky Uppaluri, of Georgia, made the final four, but went no farther. Ricky’s third-place finished earned him a $10,000 scholarship.

The Nat-Geo Bee took place at The National Theatre in Washington, DC, and was simulcast on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD Thursday night.

The winners:

• Sathwik Karnik, Massachusetts (1^st; $25,000 scholarship)
• Conrad Oberhaus, Illinois (2^nd; $15,000 scholarship)
• Ricky Uppaluri, Georgia (3^rd; $10,000 scholarship)
• Akhil Rekulapelli, Virginia (4^th; $1,000 cash)