Fifth-Grader Wins Geography Bee At Darien's Ox Ridge

DARIEN, Conn. – Fifth-grader Matthew Taylor won the Geography Bee at Ox Ridge School in Darien on Thursday, Jan. 8.

From left to right: Patrick Finnegan, Cat Naidich, Ryan Jones, Jack Sarsen, Jahmal Marajah,
Matthew Taylor, Reed Levinson, Campbell Brode, Lucas Cepeda — From left to right: Patrick Finnegan, Cat Naidich, Ryan Jones, Jack Sarsen, Jahmal Marajah, Matthew Taylor, Reed Levinson, Campbell Brode, Lucas Cepeda
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Jill Harvey*

Ox Ridge Geography Bee winner 5th grader Matthew Taylor
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Jill Harvey*

by Amy Ekbat

02/10/2015 5:30 a.m.

Ox Ridge fourth-grader Campbell Brode finished in second place, and Patrick Finnegan, a fifth-grader, took home third place.

Taylor will now begin taking a test to see whether he qualifies to participate in the Connecticut State Geography Bee set to be held March 27. About 100 students will qualify for the Connecticut State Geography Bee that is held in New Britain.

The child who wins the state competition will continue on to the National Bee, which is scheduled in Washington, D.C., for May 11 through May 13. The winner of the National Bee will win a scholarship of $50,000, among other prizes.

The National Geographic Bee is a competition that takes places nationwide throughout all of the United States. The competition is organized by the National Geographic Society.

All students in grades 4 through 8 can participate in the event. The goal behind the competitions is to help children learn about the world. Fifth grade teacher Chris O’Connor organized and moderated the competition for Ox Ridge.

Every year, each Darien school participates in the event and a winner is chosen from Middlesex Middle School and each of the elementary schools throughout Darien, including Ox Ridge.

Before a winner is crowned, fourth- and fifth-graders participate in a preliminary Geography Bee competition.

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