The 14th National Geographic Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 22, 2002, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The final competition was moderated by Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.[1] The winner was Calvin McCarter, a homeschooled student from Jenison, Michigan, who won a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. As of 2019, McCarter is the only 5th grader to have won the competition. The 2nd-place winner, Matthew Russell of Bradford, Pennsylvania, won a $15,000 scholarship. The 3rd-place winner, Erik Miller of Kent, Washington, won a $10,000 scholarship.[2]
2002 State Champions
| State |
Winner's Name |
Grade |
School |
City/Town |
Place |
Notes
|
| Colorado |
Isaiah P. Hess |
Top 10 finalist
|
| Connecticut |
Aaron Kiersh |
Top 10 finalist
|
| Department of Defense |
Ryan J. Felix |
8th |
won the Department of Defense Bee in 2001 |
Top 10 finalist
|
| Kansas |
Benjamin S. Detrixhe |
5th |
Ames Elementary School |
Ames |
Top 10 finalist (9th place) |
Won the Kansas State Bee in 2001
|
| Michigan |
Calvin McCarter |
5th |
Jenison |
2002 Champion
|
| New York |
Nathaniel R. Mattison |
Top 10 finalist
|
| North Carolina |
Alexander Taylor Smith |
Top 10 finalist
|
| North Dakota |
John Rice |
8th |
Maddock |
Won the North Dakota State Bee in 2000 and 2001 |
Top 10 finalist
|
| Pennsylvania |
Matthew Russell |
Bradford |
Second Place
|
| Utah |
Derek Wells |
5th |
Pinnacle Canyon Academy |
Wellington
|
| Washington |
Erik Miller |
Kent |
Third Place
|
References
External links