Kadimah student wins Geography Bee

Joshua Fitt, a seventh-grader at Kadimah School of Buffalo, located in Amherst, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Dec. 21 and a chance at the $25,000 college scholarship.

The school-level bee, at which students answered oral geography questions, was the first round in the 19th Annual National Geographic Bee. The Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Also from the school, Ben Balderman earned second place and Nathan Albanese, third place.

Thousands of schools around the United States participated in levels of the competition, which began in November.

The school winners, including Fitt, 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 on April 4.

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 on May 20 and 21. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the society.

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 21. The program will air on television. Check local listings for dates and times.