Last year's first place winner was Jeffrey D. Modrowski of Crown Point, a seventh grader at Taft Middle school. The National Geographic Society developed the National Geographic Bee in response to concern about the lack of geographic knowledge among young Americans. Regional rounds in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories take place Friday. Five million students annually participate in the Bee, sponsored this year by First USA, a Bank One company. Friday's state contestants were winners at their local schools during competitions that began last December.
Preliminary rounds begin.
Second round to determine final 10 competitors begins.