The 8th National Geographic Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1996, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The final competition was moderated by Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. The winner was Seyi Fayanju of Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School in Verona, New Jersey, who won a $25,000 college scholarship. The 2nd-place winner, Ryan Bean of Augusta, Maine, won a $15,000 scholarship. The 3rd-place winner, Matthew Conway of El Reno, Oklahoma, won a $10,000 scholarship. 1996 State Champions State Winner's Name Grade School City/Town Notes Maine Ryan Bean 8th Buker Middle School Augusta Second Place Michigan Petko Peev 6th Forest Hills Central Middle School Grand Rapids New Jersey Seyi Fayanju 7th Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School Verona 1996 Champion Oklahoma Matthew Conway Etta Ball Junior High School El Reno Third Place Pennsylvania John McElhenney Greenville Top 10 finalist Rhode Island Paul Ring Top 10 finalist Texas Paul Benson Sugar Land Top 10 finalist Virginia Nathaniel Carr Luray Top 10 finalist Washington Alex Kerchner 6th Kamiakin Junior High School Kirkland Top 10 finalist (4th place) Wisconsin Vishnu Bhakta Top 10 finalist Wyoming Patrick Smith Top 10 finalist
References
External links National Geographic Bee Official Website