For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Middle School Student Wins First Round of National Geographic Bee

MELROSE — Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (MVMMS) Principal Brent Conway is pleased to announce that eighth grade student Peter Sevastyanov won the school-wide competition of the 2018 National Geographic Bee.

The competition, which was held at MVMMS on Tuesday, Jan. 9, was the first round in the 30th Annual National Geographic Bee – a competition put on by the National Geographic Society that recognizes students’ curiosity about the world. Each year, students across the United States in grades four through eight partake in the bee for the chance to win college scholarships.

This year, Sevastyanov took home first place. Eigth grade students Anya Schneider, Morgan Hartwell, Alex Harriott and seventh grade student Liam Gagliano all tied for second place. 

“Students really get into the Nat Geo Bee competition each year,” Principal Conway said. “It provides a perfect opportunity for them to test their knowledge learned in the classroom in a fun setting. Congratulations to Peter for his win and we commend all students who participated!”

In the next round of the bee, school champions, including Sevastyanov, take a qualifying test and the top 100 scorers are eligible to compete in their state bee on April 6.

State winners are then invited to an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C., where they will participate in the national championship rounds from May 20-23. 

The first place national champion receives a $50,000 scholarship, a lifetime subscription to National Geographic Society, including a subscription to the National Geographic magazine, a trip to the Galapagos Islands and $500 cash. The second place winner earns $25,000 scholarship and $500 cash. The third place winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship and $500 cash. The fourth through 10th place winners each receive $500 cash.

###