L: Joshua Matthews R: Trey Thomas

, a fifth grade student at J. L. Bowler Elementary School in Bunkerville won the school competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 23rd and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship.  The school Bee, at which students answered questions on geography, was the first round in the Thirtieth Annual National Geographic Bee.   Fifth grader Joshua Matthews was the runner-up.

Trey and Joshua competed with eight other finalists before an audience of fellow students and parents.  Finalists included other fifth graders Elexa Green, Angel Rosas-Jimenez, Gabriela Flores, and Dominick Muirbrook.   Fourth grade finalists were Jaycob Rodriguez, Timothy Knight, Jesus Diaz, and Kara Morris.   Each finalist qualified for the school Bee by first winning classroom competitions.  Serving as judge for the Bee was fifth grade teacher Dr. Patricia Moore.  Timekeeper for the Bee was Mr. Earl Schultz and the moderator was fifth grade teacher Mrs. Lucy Weinrich.

Thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U. S. territories are participating in the 2018 Bee.  The school champions, including Trey, will take a qualifying test online; up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state Bee on April 6, 2018.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D. C., for state winners to participate in the Bee national championship rounds May 20-23, 2018.  The national finals will air on television on the National Geographic Channel and later on PBS stations.  Check local listing for dates and times.

Everyone can test their geography knowledge with the exciting GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at www.nationalgeographic.org/bee/study/quiz, which poses 10 new questions a day, or with the National Geographic Geo Quiz Alexa skill, which releases six new questions a day.

Bowler bighorns are proud of Trey and wish him good luck!