Lowell Van Ness, an eighth grader at Bumpus Middle School, Hoover, won top honors at the Geographic Bee state finals at Samford University Friday (MARCH 31).
Van Ness, age 13, bested 99 other competitors from schools in 27 Alabama counties to claim the title. He will represent the state in the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C., May 23-24. Competitors were in grades four through eight.
As state champ, Van Ness won a $100 cash prize, a National Geographic globe and an all-expenses paid trip to the national finals.
Runners-up were Zach Sullivan, age 13, a seventh grade student at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, second place; and Alan Smith, age 14, of Montevallo, an eighth grade home schooled student with Hope Christian School, third place. Each received a National Geographic globe.
The National Geographic Bee program is sponsored by the National Geographic Society.