SLIDESHOW: Walsh Wins First-Ever Town-Wide Geography Bee

A team from Walsh Middle School won the first-ever, Town-Wide Middle School Geography Bee, sponsored by the Framingham Library's Homework Center Friday night.

Ten teams competed in the event organized by the teen advisory board of the Homework Center, along with its coordinator Judy Gaitlin and a team of tutors, including Nieke Greb and Peggy Trimble.

The winners were the Challengians team from Walsh Middle, comprised of 8th graders Kevin Lenzi, Kevin Spear and Varun Tekur.

The other finalists were two teams from McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School. They were the Atlaseas and the MacDonalds.

Members of the Atlaseas were 8th graders Caitlyn Edman, Rachel Schultze and Madison Sidmore.

Members of the MacDonalds were sixth grade students Sam Khalil, Jack Landsiedel and Eli Matz.

Each middle school was allowed to send up to four teams of no more than three members, said Gaitlin.

Cameron Middle School sent one team of two sixth grade students.

Fuller Middle School send two teams.

McAuliffe Charter School sent four teams.

Walsh Middle School sent three teams.

Walsh Middle School Principal Teresa Carney, Fuller Middle School Principal Sharon Seyller, Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School Executive Director Kristin Harrison, Walsh vice principal James Bergeron and Walsh vice principal Herrmann were all in the audience to cheer on their teams.

It was a capacity crowd at the event held in the Costin room at the main Framingham Library Friday night.

Questions ranged from what is the new name for the country formerly called Burma, to find Vietnam on a map, to what is Panama, to name the body of water between England and Europe.

The judge for the night was Framingham High history teacher Alex Higgins. Ron Evertt served as the master of ceremonies for the Geography Bee.

The Framingham Library's Homework Center provides free tutoring and homework help to all middle and high school students, both public and private, in Framingham.

Tutors are retired professionals and parents of Framingham students, present and past.

Students who use the homework center ranging from struggling students to students who are grade level above their class and are looking for a challenge, said Gatlin.

ERA Key Realty, Coldell Banker and Realty Executives Boston West were sponsors of the first-ever town-wide Geography Bee.


Editor's Note: Originally posted at midnight. Updated with additional photos.