Hicksville Middle School eighth-grade student Jonathan Kinnaman was the winner of the annual school geography bee held in early January. His knowledge of oceans, landmasses, maps, climates and natural resources propelled him to first place among 39 competitors from all grades at the school. Social studies teacher Kevin Kerley was the adviser for this local segment of the larger National Geography Bee.
Kinnaman will now go up against other top-ranked students from across the country in a written test that may give him the opportunity to win $25,000 in a national competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society and hosted by Alex Trebek.
There was a winner from each grade, with sixth-grader Teresa Moritz and seventh-grader Rebecca Sloan receiving honors.
—From the Hicksville School District
