Eric Thompson, a fourth grader at St. John the Evangelist School, Severna Park, won the school-level competition of the 19th annual National Geographic Bee Jan. 5 and a chance to win a $25,000 college scholarship. Students in grades 4-8 answered oral questions about geography in the first round. The runner up was Grant Murray, a fifth grader at St. John. This is the first time in the history of this competition at St. John’s that a fourth grade student has won the right to progress to the next level.
Eighth grader Sam Manas will represent St. John the Evangelist School in The Capital Gazette 2007 Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee on Sat., March 3. Sam competed against 16 seventh and eighth grade spelling contestants in the final round of the school’s spelling bee to win this honor. The alternate was eighth grader Lydia Witeford. The Capital Gazette will reward Sam with a $50 U.S. savings bond, a plaque, and an embroidered shirt to wear during the competition. If he wins, he will compete in the 80th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. during the week of May 27.