As a former competitor in the National Geographic Bee, studying for the competition and competing had become a huge part of my life. The GeoBee was a big part of thousands of students’ lives. It was an opportunity that many used to discover more about the world. More students became aware of the world around them and became better global citizens. Though there were inequities, it is necessary to find ways to compensate for them than to lose the opportunity that millions of kids used to discover geography. 

Recently, the National Geographic Society announced the permanent discontinuation of the GeoBee. This left thousands of aspiring GeoBee champions heartbroken, as they gave up their childhood for a chance to win the National Geographic Bee. 

The pandemic was responsible for the cancellation of the 32nd and 33rd Annual Bees. Many competitors did not give up hope and continued to prepare for the competition. This news is a slap in the face to those who were looking forward to redeeming themselves in the last two years. Please join us in our petition to request that National Geographic resumes the GeoBee competition over the next three years.

Thank you,

Akhil Gadepalli, 2019 National Geographic Bee Second Runner-Up

Karan Menon, 2015 National Geographic Bee Champion

Nihar Janga, 2019 National Geographic Bee Champion