NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE IS APRIL 4 AT ODU

The Virginia portion of the 2003 National Geographic Bee competition will be at Old Dominion University Friday, April 4, in Webb University Center.

Qualifying rounds start at 10 a.m. and the final round begins at 12:10 p.m. Winners will be available for media interviews at 1:15 p.m. in the North Cafeteria in Webb Center.

Virginia's top 100 scorers on the geography bee's test will be on hand to vie for a bid to the national competition in May at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The competition began at individual schools. Each school winner takes a written test and the top 100 scorers in each state and territory compete at the state level. At national competition, the number of contestants is narrowed to ten finalists, who compete for a $25,000 college scholarship. The second- and third-place winners receive $15,000 and $10,000 scholarships, respectively. Alex Trebek, host of the TV game show "Jeopardy," moderates the final competition.