JEFFERSON SEVENTH-GRADER WINS GEOGRAPHY BEE

Cameron Brent, a seventh-grade student at Jefferson Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geography Bee on Jan. 11.

The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 18th annual National Geography Bee. The school winners, including Brent, will now take a written test. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee March 31.

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 National Geographic Bee national championship on May 23 and 24. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society.

The Jefferson Geography Bee was coordinated by seventh-grade social studies teachers Walter Brooker and Jeff Bryant.

Contact: Walter Brooker, Jefferson social studies teacher, 630-301-5917, wbrooker@sd129.org; Jeff Bryant, Jefferson social studies teacher, 630-301-5922, jbryant@sd129.org.

Jefferson Middle School student Cameron Brent receives congratulations from seventh-grade social studies teacher Jeff Bryant for winning the school’s geography bee. Brent is now eligible to compete at higher levels, which end with the crowning of a national champion.