Jacob Backo ’19 Wins Geographic Bee

The Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School conducted its fourth annual National Geographic Bee school contest on February 2, 2015. After nearly an hour of questions, Michael Ferguson '21 of Arlington finished in third place, Ian Mounts '19 of Ashland finished in second place, and Jacob Backo '19 of Warrenton finished as the 2015 School Champion.
 
According to the National Geographic web site (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/teachers-and-parents/), “Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.”
 
Backo has taken the written state qualifying test in the hopes of moving forward in the competition.

Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA), founded in 1892, is a college-preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for students in grades 6 through 12.  Students in grades 9-12 participate in R-MA’s 91st Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and have the option to participate in a flight program. R-MA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is located in Front Royal, VA.

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