Geographic Bee participants—Chris Walsh ‘20, Charlie Knight ‘20, Sam Boston ‘20, Elyse Kim ‘21, Jackson Hart ‘21, Jack Laibe ‘21, Thomas Arnold ‘22, Teddy Cashman ‘22, Flynn Partington ‘23, and Alex Holtzapffel ‘23
Some of the geography bee participants before the competition
MS history teacher Merideth Ostrer administering the questions
Finalists Chris Walsh ‘20, Jackson Hart ‘21, and Alex Holtzapffel ‘23
1st and 2nd place winners Jackson Hart '21 and Alex Holtzapffel ‘23
Tight Competition For 2016 National Geography Bee
VGP
Ten Middle School students qualified to compete in the St. Luke’s National Geographic Bee held in the Seldin Performing Arts Center yesterday. It took thirteen rounds to get down to three finalists: Jackson Hart ‘21, Chris Walsh ‘20, and Alex Holtzapffel ‘23. The playoff rounds were tight but Jackson reigned as champion for a third consecutive year. Alex came in a close second and Chris right behind in third place. MS history teacher Merideth Ostrer who oversaw the School’s National Geographic Bee said, “As it progressed, some of the questions were really tough. I was impressed how our students were up for the challenge.”
Jackson will need to pass an online test to advance to the statewide competition on April 1. The winner from each state will then compete at the National Championship in Washington, D.C. in mid-May. According to the National Geographic website, “Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate...The contest is designed to inspire students to be curious about the world.”
Congratulations to all the SLS students who competed in the geography bee: Chris Walsh ‘20, Charlie Knight ‘20, Sam Boston ‘20, Elyse Kim ‘21, Jackson Hart ‘21, Jack Laibe ‘21, Thomas Arnold ‘22, Teddy Cashman ‘22, Flynn Partington ‘23, and Alex Holtzapffel ‘23.
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.