Reed Intermediate School students participated in the school's final round of the National Geographic Bee competition Thursday, February 2.

"Up here you see eighth sixth graders who have already won their cluster competitions," said sixth grade teacher Matt Dalton, who organized the event.

The National Geographic Bee takes place in participating schools across the country. Each school's winning student goes on to complete a test to determine whether they will compete at the state level of the bee. Students who qualify at the state level, progress to the national level of the competition.

Newtown Middle School held its final competition for the National Geographic Bee on Wednesday, January 11.

Reed students who competed in the final round on February 2 were Filippo Formica, Justin Sims, Zachary Lehecka, Ryder Wilson, Peyton Chiriatti, Grace Ruggiero, Kirsten Banas, and Connor Troy.

"Welcome to the National Geographic Bee competition," said Reed Principal Anne Uberti, who acted as moderator for the competition, which was held during a full school assembly in Reed cafetorium.

Reed library/media specialist Pia Ledina and sixth grade teacher Michael Corvello also assisted in running the competition.

During different rounds of the competition students answered different types of questions; some required oral answers and for others, students wrote down their responses.

After multiple rounds of the bee, Mr Dalton said Filippo was named the winner and Zachary was named as the school's runner-up.

Mr Dalton said all of the bee's competing students performed "well above" exceptions, and Filippo and Zachary were both strong competitors.