UPDATE: Wakefield Youth Wins SECOND PLACE in National Geographic Bee

UPDATE: Eighth-grader Oliver Lucier of Wakefield wins SECOND PLACE in the 2010 National Geographic Bee. Congratulations, Oliver!


WSBE Rhode Island PBS will broadcast the finals among the top 10 children on Saturday, May 29 at 7:30 AM and on Sunday, May 30 at 10 AM, over the air on digital 36.1; Cox/Verizon/Full Channel 08; DirecTV 36; Dish Network 7776.


On May 25 and 26, the 54 finalists took part in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee. The fifth- to eighth-graders, ranging in age from 10 to 14, vied for three scholarships worth $50,000.

The Bee champion won the top prize of a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second-place finisher, Oliver Lucier of Wakefield was awarded a $15,000 college scholarship. Third place finisher receives a 10,000 college scholarship. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galápagos to experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the islands' wildlife and landscape. Travel for the Galápagos trip is provided by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society.


The 54 finalists, all winners of their state-level geographic bees, have triumphed over a field of nearly 5 million students to earn a place in the national championships. They represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.


The preliminary round of the National Geographic Bee took place on Tuesday, May 25. The top 10 finalists each won $500 and advanced to the final round on Wednesday, May 26, which was moderated by "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek.

(Update) Meet the RI State Champ in National Geographic Bee

National Geographic and Maryland Public Television, National Productions, today announced the names of the students who won their State Geography Bees and will participate in the 2009 National Geographic Bee in May.

The Rhode Island winner is Oliver Lucier, 7th Grade, Broad Rock Middle School, Wakefield. Congratulations!

Up to 100 fourth- to eighth-graders in each of the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools have qualified for the state Bees. Oliver and the other state winners will receive $100, the "National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World," and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the national finals on May 19-20 and the chance to be crowned National Geographic Bee champion.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS will broadcast the National Geographic Bee on Thursday, May 21 at 3 PM, with re-broadcast on Saturday, May 23 at noon.

First prize in the national competition is a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second- and third-place finishers receive $15,000 and $10,000 college scholarships. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galápagos Islands with "Jeopardy!" quiz show host and National Geographic Bee moderator Alex Trebek and the "Jeopardy!" Clue Crew. The winner will experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the wildlife and landscape of the Galápagos.

We won't know until the day before the actual air date whether Oliver will be among the final 10 (and be in the broadcast), but we'll post any update here as soon as we know. No spoilers, however!

Congratulations, Oliver! Best of luck in the next round!

UPDATE: Here's the story in the South County Independent. (Photo: Selena Millard. Source: Liz Boardman/Independent Staff Writer)

Wakefield 7th Grader Wins RI Title in "National Geographic" Bee

National Geographic and Maryland Public Television, National Productions, today announced the names of the students who won their State Geography Bees and will participate in the 2009 National Geographic Bee in May.

The Rhode Island winner is Oliver Lucier, 7th Grade, Broad Rock Middle School, Wakefield. Congratulations!

Up to 100 fourth- to eighth-graders in each of the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools have qualified for the state Bees. Oliver and the other state winners will receive $100, the "National Geographic Collegiate Atlas of the World," and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the national finals on May 19-20 and the chance to be crowned National Geographic Bee champion.

WSBE Rhode Island PBS will broadcast the National Geographic Bee on Thursday, May 21 at 3 PM, with re-broadcast on Saturday, May 23 at noon.

First prize in the national competition is a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second- and third-place finishers receive $15,000 and $10,000 college scholarships. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galápagos Islands with "Jeopardy!" quiz show host and National Geographic Bee moderator Alex Trebek and the "Jeopardy!" Clue Crew. The winner will experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the wildlife and landscape of the Galápagos.

We won't know until close to the actual air date who made the finals and will be in the broadcast, but we'll post the updates here as we get them.

Congratulations, Oliver! Best of luck in the next round!