Three Local Students Compete for National Geographic Bee Title [VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD -- Three area students competed for a chance to advance to the 26th annual National Geographic Bee today (Friday).

Over 100 fourth to eighth graders in each of the 50 states are testing their knowledge about geography at the state geographic bee.

Each competitor is asked a series of questions until 10 winners in the preliminary round are left.

Eighth grader Timothy Blinnikov from Stride Academy, sixth grader Janagan Ramanathan from Sartell Middle School and fourth grader Matthew Bolton from Oak Ridge Elementary competed against other students throughout the state at St. Cloud State University this morning.

All three students just missed out on the final round.

The winner of the state geographic bee will receive $100 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C, to compete in the national finals May 19-21.