Fourth-grader Luke Pikoulas wins Golden Hill's Geography Bee

Florida — Luke Pikoulas, a fourth-grade student at Golden Hill Elementary School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 16 and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 20th annual National Geographic Bee. The Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Paisley Campbell, a fourth-grader, placed second and Julia Birch, a fifth-grader, placed third. Other finalists included fifth-graders Sinead Brosnan and Brittany Milz and fourth grader Breanne Kovatch. The kickoff for this year’s bee was the week of Nov. 12, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Luke, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state and territory will be eligible to compete in their state bee on April 4. 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 20 and 21. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship. Luke’s winning question was: What berries are harvested from flooded bogs in some parts of the northern United States and Canada? His winning answer: cranberries.