St. Jude students advance in geographic bee

St. Jude School, Mountain Top, recently held its annual geographic bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, for students in grades 5-8. Preliminary competitions were held in each classroom. Ten finalists and two alternates were chosen to represent the student body in the school-level competition in the gym. Alex Abad, an eighth-grade student, won first place and will advance to the next level of competition, a written exam to determine eligibility for the state competition. All state winners are eligible to win the national championship and the first prize of a $25,000 college scholarship. Participants, from left, first row are Alex Abad. Second row: Annie Hagenbuch; Ryan Williams; Tim Gallagher; Josh Gronka, alternate; Jared Bozinko; and Abby Lapinski. Third row: Josh Zapusek, alternate; Yosi Bere; Ben Koshinski; Adam Abad; and Sean Wills.