Ethan Vermillion, a seventh grade student at Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Monday, Jan. 11, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.

The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee.This year's Bee is sponsored by Google.The kickoff for this year's Bee was the week of Nov. 9, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating.The school winners, including Ethan, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee on April 9.The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the Bee national championship rounds on May 25-26.The first place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the Society, and a trip to the Galépagos islands, courtesy of Lindbad Expeditions and National Geographic."Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 26. The program will air on television. Check local listings for dates and times.The National Geographic Society is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the society works to inspire people to care about the planet.It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise.National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.For information, visit nationalgeographic.com.