Orchard Valley Middle School sixth grader Azaannullah Shahid bested seventh grade winner Owen Smith and eighth grader Carson Thomas (who also was the grade-level winner last year while in seventh grade) to capture the overall championship in the school’s annual National Geographic Geography Bee on Jan. 17. OVMS social studies teacher Ashley Fisler moderated the event.
As the OVMS winner, Azaannullah will take the online qualifying test, proctored by the school GeoBee coordinator, Ashley Fisler, by Feb. 7. The top 100 ranked students in each state qualify to represent their school in the state Geo Bee, held on March 27. The designated state champions attend the national championship in Washington, D.C., May 17 through May 21.