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Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School sixth-grader Mason Gruebele at the geography bee state finals. Photo provided
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Two Moraga students competed in the 2015 National Geographic Bee State Final Competition March 27 at Fresno State University.
Thousands of fourth through eighth graders from over 600 schools competed in National Geographic school bees throughout the state. Each school's Geo Bee champion then took a written test to qualify to be one of the 110 California state finalists. The finalists broke out into groups for preliminary rounds and had to answer eight rounds of questions about geography, cultural geography, and current affairs all over the world. Top students from the preliminary rounds advanced to the tie-breaker round, then 10 moved on to compete in the final round. The state champion then advances to the national competition in Washington, D.C., for a chance to win $50,000 in scholarships and trip for two to the Galapagos Islands.
Mason Gruebele is a sixth-grade student at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. He was Donald Rheem Elementary School's School Bee champ two years in a row, and went to the state finals last year. He is proud to have been able to represent JM at the state competition this year. In addition to his love of geography and current affairs, Mason loves playing the piano and French horn, and being a Boy Scout.
Andrew Navruzyan is a fifth-grade student at Donald Rheem Elementary School. This was his first time competing in the state competition. He was proud to represent Rheem Elementary in Fresno this year. In addition to his love of geography, he enjoys building model planes and playing piano.
Although Mason and Andrew did not advance to the final round, they enjoyed meeting other boys and girls who share the same passion for geography. They look forward to competing in the JM Geo Bee next year for a chance to advance to the state finals again.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA