9th National Geographic Bee

The 9th National Geographic Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 28, 1997, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The final competition was moderated by Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.[1] The winner was Alex Kerchner of Kamiakin Junior High School in Kirkland, Washington, who won a $25,000 college scholarship.[2] The 2nd-place winner, Steve Sreckovic of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, won a $15,000 scholarship. The 3rd-place winner, Justin Mosel of Orchard, Nebraska, won a $10,000 scholarship.[3][4][5]

9th National Geographic Bee
DateMay 28, 1997
LocationWashington, D.C.
WinnerAlex Kerchner
Age12
ResidenceKirkland, Washington
No. of contestants57
Preceded by8th National Geographic Bee
Followed by10th National Geographic Bee

1997 State Champions

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StateWinner's NameGradeSchoolCity/TownNotes
AlabamaRyan ConferRandolph Middle SchoolHuntsville
AlaskaMichael HartSoldotna Middle SchoolSoldotna
American SamoaLeonard HymanSouth Pacific AcademyPago Pago
ArizonaAaron LindermanMcKemy Middle SchoolTempeTop 10 finalist
ArkansasJonathan VerHoevenschooled at homeSpringdale
CaliforniaGavin SkramTeel Middle SchoolEmpire
ColoradoJeff RussellPowell Middle SchoolLittleton
ConnecticutTim CourchaineJohn F. Kennedy Middle SchoolEnfieldTop 10 finalist
HawaiiDarlene Dela CruzKalakaua Intermediate SchoolHonolulu
IdahoVictor McFarlandLakes Middle SchoolCoeur d'Alene
IndianaRobby SchrumTaft Junior High SchoolCrown Point
IowaAmy NugterenPella Christian Grade SchoolPella
KansasRedha ElminyawiDwight D. Eisenhower Middle SchoolManhattan
KentuckyLouis BurnoskiCrosby Middle SchoolLouisville
LouisianaKeith MaddoxRiverdale Middle SchoolJefferson
MaineJason MoreauGlenburn Middle SchoolGlenburn
MarylandPablo RuizEastern Middle SchoolSilver Spring
MassachusettsJamie KettlesonCentral Middle SchoolQuincy
MichiganPetko Peev7thForest Hills Central Middle SchoolGrand RapidsTop 10 finalistWon the Michigan State Bee in 1996
MinnesotaDan WeberSt. Therese SchoolDeephaven
MissouriEapen ThampyMaryland HeightsTop 10 finalist
MontanaPhillip BloomWill James Middle SchoolBillings
NebraskaJustin MoselOrchard Public SchoolOrchardThird Place
NevadaChris YoungGreenspun Junior High SchoolHenderson
New HampshireMorgan BrownWalpole Elementary SchoolWalpole
New JerseyT.J. BrazdaMartin J. Ryerson SchoolRingwood
New MexicoGulliver HughesAlbuquerqueTop 10 finalist
New YorkDeepak Kollali8thMildred E. Strang Middle SchoolYorktown HeightsTop 10 finalist
North CarolinaMichael MuellerAycock Middle SchoolGreensboro
North DakotaAaron ShreveMandan Junior High SchoolMandanTop 10 finalist
OhioMatt BowshierWashington Middle SchoolWashington Courthouse
PennsylvaniaJonathan SquibbLamberton Middle SchoolCarlisle
South CarolinaJonathan HessIrmo Middle SchoolColumbia
South DakotaMegan StormYankton Middle SchoolYankton
TexasVivek KasinathKeystone SchoolSan Antonio
UtahAdam StoddardSouth David Junior High SchoolBountiful
VirginiaDennis BakkeArlington
WashingtonAlex Kerchner7thKamiakin Junior High SchoolKirkland1997 Champion
West VirginiaDaniel HarrisSt. Agnes Middle SchoolCharleston
WisconsinSteve Sreckovic8thSouth Milwaukee Middle SchoolSouth MilwaukeeSecond Place
WyomingPaul McVeyEast Junior High SchoolCasper

References

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  1. Melody Kramer. "Alex Trebek: On Hosting the National Geographic Bee". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013.
  2. "National Geographic Bee Champions" (PDF). National Geographic. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 8, 2016.
  3. "Kirkland, Wash., boy wins geography bee". upi.com.
  4. Lara Bain. "13-year-old's talent is all over the map". Seattle Times.
  5. "Asia Knowledge Helps Geography Whiz, 12, Win National Contest". Los Angeles Times.
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