When Wantagh Middle School eighth grader Paul McHale correctly answered “Vermont” as the lone New England state that doesn’t border the Atlantic Ocean, he was crowned the winner of the annual Geography Bee.

Two dozen students, who won preliminary rounds in their social studies classes, advanced to the finals in the library on Jan. 13. In the double-elimination competition, students tested their knowledge of states, countries and continents. Each round had a different theme, and it took 12 rounds to decide a winner. 

Eighth grader Colin Calabro, who competed against Paul in the finals, was the second place finisher and seventh grader Mathew Rudnicki came in third.

The Geography Bee was coordinated by Director of Humanities Julie Rosslee, sixth grade social studies teacher William Jackson and seventh grade social studies teacher David Cippoletti, who asked the questions. Ms. Rosslee said that although the national bee has been discontinued, Wantagh decided to keep holding a schoolwide geography competition.