The Geography Bee became center stage for ten geography wizards of Andover Elementary/Middle School this past week. The title of AE/MS Geography Bee Champion is a much-coveted position.

The competition began with every student in grades five through eight competing for a spot in the second round of the Geography Bee. With questions ranging from world geography to United States geography, the challenge for the students was at a very high level.

In the second round it was fifth graders Trevor Lima and Ronan Walsh; sixth graders Lexi Emeny and Devin Barton; seventh graders Alex Crucitti and Finn Weber; and eighth graders Brandon Babbitt and Carl Hubbard. The finalists faced each other head-to-head with a supportive audience of their fellow classmates. This was in the same open format as the preliminary rounds.

The students put forth a fabulous effort, and the competition was full of entertainment. In the end, fifth grader Ronan Walsh rose through the ranks to win the final round and earn the right to call himself Andover 2012-2013 Geography Bee Champ.

The next step for Ronan is to submit a written test and hope the he makes the grade to be selected to compete at the state level. The staff, students, and the Andover community want to wish Ronan Walsh “Good Luck!”

Stay tuned to the world of geography for the announcement of our next year’s champion. Keep studying those geography facts, and get ready for next year’s fun-filled competition.