Ryan Jordan, an eighth grader at Macopin Middle School, is the winner of the Macopin Geography Bee. Ben Macarell, a seventh grader, was the runner up. Ryan advances to the next level of competition, a written examination, to determine state competitors. Ryan, pictured here at left with Ben at right, is a repeat winner, having taken first place in last year's Macopin Geography Bee and advanced to the New Jersey State level of the competition. Thirty-one semi-finalists who were winners of their social studies classes competed against Ryan and Ben. All school winners are eligible to participate in the national championship in Washington D.C. from May 19 to 21 and possibly win its first prize, a $50,000 college scholarship. This is the 26th year of the national Geography Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Congratulations to Ryan and all who participated.