Once again National Geographic is underway straining through the nation's pupils in grades fourth through eighth to narrow down the top bee...the top GeoBee that is.

Recently, Sanders County students took the geography challenge by competing at their individual school level.

Winners of the local competition must take an assessment exam to determine if they are eligible to compete at the state level. Upon passing the required exam, Montana students will compete for national qualification on March 27.

Winners of the state competition will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in a national championship held May 17-21.

Courtesy Photo

Nathan Hutfles of Noxon

Hot Springs' fifth-grade student Logan Homola demonstrated knowledge in geography while taking the top placement. In Noxon, Nathan Hutfles, a seventh-grade student, took top Geography Bee honors. Thompson Falls' Theo Nygaard in seventh grade finished at the top and Trout Creek's Arya Krick, fifth grade, won in her school's competition.

Plains and Dixon school districts do not participate in the GeoBee program, they reported.

According to National Geographic, each year thousands of schools in the U.S. participate in the National GeoBee competition. Study guides and learning materials are provided by National Geographic to assist students. "The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world and increase public awareness about geography," National Geographic stated.