Sixth Graders Excel in Regional Geography and History Bees

FWCD was buzzing with energy on Saturday, April 11, as over 80 students from across the DFW metroplex gathered on campus for the Science, History and Geography Bee Regional Tournaments. Despite a four-week turnaround after the original host school withdrew, the competition drew a solid field of participants from St. Mark’s School of Texas, Hockaday School, Harmony Science Academy and several public schools. FWCD boasted over half of the participants. Sixth Grade Teacher Tara Westbrook took the lead in planning the event.

While the Geography Bee is open to students in pre-K through 12th grade, all FWCD participants were sixth graders. In February, students in Shari Lincoln’s and Westbrook’s social studies classes took a qualifying test comprising 50 multiple-choice questions, and 95% passed. Students could then choose to continue in the competition at the regional level. Those who opted to continue received independent study guides, took part in optional “buzzer” practice sessions during recess, and spent time on their own studying for the big event.

The following students qualified for the National Geography Bee in Orlando and Internationals in Thailand: 

Reed Stine: Silver Medal Overall
Isaac Rohani: Bronze Medal Overall
Bailey Wells

In addition to the students listed above, Matthew De La Paz, Zaid Farr, Milo Green, McGwire Humble, Miller Humble, Nicklaus Knuckley, Foster Prigel and Rafa Sudan qualified for the National Geography Bee.

De La Paz, Prigel and Samart competed in both the Regional Geography Bee and the Regional History Bee, with De La Paz earning third in History. He is eligible to compete in both the National Geography Bee and the National History Bee in Florida. 

“Mrs. Lincoln and I are extremely proud of our students for showing courage and scholarship in participating in this competition,” Westbrook said. “It was a long day, but the positive energy was apparent throughout. We also had help from Debbie Schofield, Jackie Rains, Rob Napier, Cristina Szmigiel and Nate Blan ’26 with reading questions. And our Security Team helped ensure we had everything we needed. It really was a community effort.”