14th National Geographic Bee

14th National Geographic Bee
DateMay 22, 2002
LocationWashington, D.C.
WinnerCalvin McCarter
(10 at time of win)
No. of contestants55

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. 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.

2002 State Champions

StateWinner's NameGradeSchoolCity/TownPlaceNotes
ColoradoIsaiah P. HessTop 10 finalist
ConnecticutAaron KiershTop 10 finalist
Department of DefenseRyan J. Felix8thwon the Department of Defense Bee in 2001Top 10 finalist
KansasBenjamin S. Detrixhe5thAmes Elementary SchoolAmesTop 10 finalist (9th place)Won the Kansas State Bee in 2001
MichiganCalvin McCarter5thJenison2002 Champion
New YorkNathaniel R. MattisonTop 10 finalist
North CarolinaAlexander Taylor SmithTop 10 finalist
North DakotaJohn Rice8thMaddockWon the North Dakota State Bee in 2000 and 2001Top 10 finalist
PennsylvaniaMatthew RussellBradfordSecond Place
UtahDerek Wells5thPinnacle Canyon AcademyWellington
WashingtonErik MillerKentThird Place

References

  1. ↑ Melody Kramer. "Alex Trebek: On Hosting the National Geographic Bee". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013.
  2. ↑ Stentor Danielson. "Geographic Bee Champ: Michigan Ten-Year-Old". National Geographic News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2002.