Max Garon is a sophomore at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. He won the D.C. GeoBee three times and finished tied for seventh nationally in 2017. He traces his interest in geography to watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup and reading National Geographic books growing up. Edited excerpts of our conversation follow. Q: What was it like competing in the national finals? Max Garon … Continue reading Five Questions With a GeoBee Champion: Max Garon

Shriya Yarlagadda, a high school junior from Grand Blanc, Mich., credits the GeoBee with helping her develop self-confidence and a “more nuanced perspective” on world events. She finished second in the 2015 GeoBee national finals, and more recently appeared on the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament. Edited excerpts of our conversation follow. Q: How has studying geography made you more of a global citizen? Shriya Yarlagadda (SY): … Continue reading Five Questions With a GeoBee Champion: Shriya Yarlagadda

Grace Rembert, a high school senior from Bozeman, Mont., qualified three times for the GeoBee national championship and finished fourth overall in 2016. In this installment of “Five Questions With a GeoBee Champion,” she reflects on her experience and offers some tried-and-true study tips. Edited excerpts of our conversation follow. Q: What’s one memorable moment from your time at nationals? Grace Rembert (GR): In my … Continue reading Five Questions With a GeoBee Champion: Grace Rembert

Nihar Janga is the reigning National Geographic GeoBee champion. His victory came with a $25,000 scholarship and a Lindblad expedition to the Galápagos Islands. We caught up with Nihar in his hometown of Austin, Texas, during the annual conference of the National Council for Geographic Education. Edited excerpts of our conversation follow. Q: What got you interested in geography? Nihar Janga (NJ): After I did … Continue reading Five Questions With a GeoBee Champion: Nihar Janga