Sixth-grader Phin Weston has taken first place in McNeil Canyon Elementary School’s Jan. 30 National Geographic geo bee. Other students participating were Eryn Field, Katerina Kuzmin, Sean Pilant, Kira Milne, Kappa Reutov, Emmet Wilkinson, Ty Etzwiler, Piper Kassouni, Halle Lapp, Tyshawn Carson and Paige Jones.

Weston and other school champions from around Alaska will take a written test; 100 of the top scorers in each state compete in a state geography bee March 27. State champions compete in Washington, D.C., May 11-13, with the winner receiving a $50,000 college scholarship.