Seewald Wins Derby Academy Geographic Bee

Eric Seewald, an eighth grade student at Derby Academy, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee. Seewald was one of five students who competed during Derby’s Morning Meeting on Monday, January 9, 2012. His competitors included fellow eighth graders Graham McOsker of Norwell, Grace McNichols of Hingham, Cassie Warwick of Hingham and Avery Devlin of Scituate.

By winning the school-level Bee, Seewald is eligible to move on in the competition, which includes a chance at winning a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level competition, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round of the 24^th Annual National Geographic Bee sponsored by Google.

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 14, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Seewald, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee on March 30, 2012.

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 Bee national championship rounds May 22-24, 2012. The first-place winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society and a trip to the Galapagos Islands. “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 24, which will air on television.

Founded in 1784, Derby Academy is the oldest coeducational day school in continuous operation in New England. Located in Hingham, Mass., Derby Academy is dedicated to serving students in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade and is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience that includes rigorous academics and comprehensive arts and athletics programs in a welcoming and nurturing environment. For more information about Derby Academy, call 781.749.0746 or visit us at www.derbyacademy.org.

-Derby Academy