Sixth-Grader Wins Irvington Middle School’s Geography Bee

IRVINGTON, NY — Irvington Middle School recently held its annual Geography Bee and a sixth-grader was the winner.

Ten finalists — students in grades six through eight — answered questions covering all facets of geography in the United States and the world before an audience of peers, teachers and administrators, according to a district spokesman.

In order to qualify for the Geography Bee, the students were given a written test and those with the highest scores advanced to the finals.

“These 10 students waged a spirited competition, contending with a very challenging set of questions and were supported by an enthusiastic audience,” Principal David Sottile said.

They were Richard Ackerman, Graham Adams, Chloe Banino, Killian Daly, Anton Dedvukaj, Henry Demarest, Miles Demarest, Iain McGiffin, Matthew Weidler and Andrew Zhou.

Following an elimination process, Daly, an eighth-grader, and Zhou, a sixth-grader, faced off in the final round. Daly was named the runner-up for the second consecutive year.

Zhou became the school champion by correctly answering the question, “The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is located off the coach of which U.S. state?”

He knew the answer was Hawaii.

Zhou also correctly answered the question, “Archaeologists have begun excavating an ancient lost city in the region called La Mosquitia in which country north of Nicaragua?” His answer was Honduras.

Zhou will now take a written test for an opportunity to compete at the statewide National Geographic Bee, which will be held March 31.

The National Geographic Bee, organized by the National Geographic Society, is designed to inspire and reward students’ curiosity about the world around them, organizers said.

Photo caption: From left, sixth-grader Andrew Zhou and eighth-grader Killian Daly. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.