The National Geographic Geography Bee has made a return this year to Andover. Eight geography experts of Andover Elementary/Middle School competed for the title of AE/MS Geography Bee Champion.

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.

From the fifth grade, Lily Furtkamp and Ayla Caron; from the sixth grade, Riley Keezer and Will Furtkamp; from the seventh grade, Jack Newton and Aiden Kellogg; and from the eighth grade, John Maynard and Scout Armstrong – these were the finalists who faced each other head-to-head with a supportive audience of their fellow classmates.

The students put forth a fabulous effort, and the competition was full of entertainment. In the end, sixth grader Will Furtkamp rose through the ranks to win the final round and the right to call himself Andover 2013-2014 Geography Bee Champ.

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