Morgan Dean, an eighth-grade student at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee Jan. 14 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship.
Seventh grader Dominic Pagano placed second at the school bee, where students answered oral questions on geography. This was the first round in the 28th annual National Geographic Bee.
Thousands of schools are participating in the 2016 bee. The school champions, including Dean, will take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in the their state bee on April 1.
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners to participate in national championship rounds May 22-25.