Sixth-Grader Wins Mendham Twp. Geography Bee

Aroan Saha, a sixth grade student at Mendham Township Middle School, emerged victorious at the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee last week.

The victory affords Saha a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.  Will Schumm, a seventh grader and Luke Seminara, a sixth grader placed second and third, respectively. 

The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. This round of competition featured participants Stephanie Do, Lila Dunn, Mia Hedengren, Luke Potash, Filip Scasellati Sforzolini, Max Shrem and Joseph Tucker. 

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of Nov. 12, 2012 with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating.  The school winners, including Aroan Saha will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee in April.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee national championship rounds May 20 -22, 2013.  The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society.

Everyone can test their geography knowledge with the exciting GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at, which poses 10 new questions a day.

The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization.  The 120-year-old Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, television and interactive media.  National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the Society, has a circulation of about 10 million and is read in every country in the world. 

Cathy Reilly, social studies teacher, organized the school Bee, which was sponsored by the National Geographic Society.