THE EIGHT Lynnfield Middle School students who competed in the Geography Bee on Feb. 7 were, from left, eighth-grader Estelle McClory, eighth-grader Aaron Attubato, eighth-grader Ben Kazlouski, seventh-grader/Geography Bee champion Shravam Sreeram, seventh-grader Jack Tortolla, seventh-grader Abir Nallewar, sixth-grader Kabir Bhatia and sixth-grader Craig Chen. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Seventh-grader Shravam Sreeram won Lynnfield Middle School’s Geography Bee on Feb. 7.
Shravam was one of eight students to compete in the middle school’s first Geography Bee since 2019. In addition to Shravam, the competition featured eighth-grader Aaron Attubato, eighth-grader Estelle McClory, eighth-grader Ben Kazlouski, seventh-grader Jack Tortola, seventh-grader Abir Nallewar, sixth-grader Kabir Bhatia and sixth-grader Craig Chen.
“It feels great winning the Geography Bee,” said Shravam. “I wasn’t expecting to win because I was nervous.”
LMS seventh grade social studies teacher Craig Campbell and eighth grade social studies teacher Jillian Rubin asked the eight Geography Bee participants’ questions with the assistance of seventh grade social studies teacher Colin Potter and eighth grade social studies teacher Mike Wein.
“Today will determine our school Geography Bee champion,” said Wein at the start of the competition. “The winner of the LMS Geography Bee will take an online regional Geography Bee test for the opportunity to qualify for the Massachusetts Regional Geography Bee finals.”
The Geography Bee consisted of a Final Round and a Championship Round. Shravam won the competition after competing against second place finisher Abhir Nallewar and third place finisher Ben Kazlouski in the Championship Round.
“I studied maps on websites to get ready for the competition,” said Shravam.
Shravam said he enjoys learning about geography in school.
“I have always found geography to be interesting,” said Shravam. “I enjoy learning about different countries and how they interact with each other.”
Campbell congratulated all eight students for performing well during the Geography Bee competition.
“Well done everybody,” said Campbell.
The students and educators who attended the Geography Bee gave all eight participants a round of applause.
LMS English Language Arts/Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Robin Doherty said the Geography Bee kicked off when preliminary rounds were held in social studies classrooms after students and staff returned from holiday vacation.
“It was an oral test that consisted of seven rounds,” said Doherty. “The kids who got the highest number of correct answers won each class. The seventh grade was very competitive, and there were several kids who got all seven questions correct. I had to hold an additional tiebreaker for those students.”
Doherty recalled that the Geography Bee was last held at the middle school in 2019.
“None of the kids ever had experience doing the Geography Bee before,” said Doherty. “They did a great job. The kids and teachers were really excited that we brought the Geography Bee back. It’s a fun learning experience.”
LMS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Director Katie Ambroise agreed.
“It was nice to have the whole school involved,” said Ambroise.
Doherty thanked Campbell, Rubin, Potter and Wein for all of their work behind the scenes to make the Geography Bee’s triumphant return to Lynnfield Middle School a huge success.
“I also want to thank all of the social studies teachers for holding the Geography Bee in their classrooms,” added Doherty.
Doherty said Shravam will be taking the online test needed to qualify for the Massachusetts Regional Geography Bee sometime in March.
“If Shravam qualifies, he will compete in the Massachusetts Regional Geography Bee on April 7 in Foxborough,” said Doherty.
