Montville Student Wins State Geography Bee

MONTVILLE, N.J. - Veda Bhattaram, a sixth-grader attending Robert R. Lazar Middle School, won the New Jersey National State Geography Bee Friday.

Bhattaram, 12, successfully answered a question about Baja, Calif., to win the Bee. He beat out 104 other competitors.

Bhattaram received $100 and the National Geographic Book "The National Parks: An Illustrated History."

Bhattaram will compete in the national championship in Washington, D.C. in May. The winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership to the National Geographic Society. Karen Menon, last year's champion, is also from New Jersey.