Nine geography aficionados from Northwest Montana have qualified for the National Geographic Bee state competition April 1 at Montana State University-Billings.

Competitors in fourth through eighth grades had to first win at the school level.

Top finishers at each school then took written geography tests with the top 100 scores making the cut as state finalists.

The state champion will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where the National Geographic Bee takes place May 22-25, in addition to other prizes.

Local state qualifiers are:

•  Emma Cummings, fifth grade, Kalispell Montessori School.
•  Noah Golan, eighth grade, Columbia Falls Junior High School.
•  Dayton Hayden, seventh grade, Eureka Middle School.
•  Alexandra Houseworth, sixth grade, Kalispell Middle School.
•  Abraham Otto, eighth grade, Fair-Mont-Egan School.
•  Sarah Rye, eighth grade, Flathead Home Educators Association .
•  Kylee Sauer, eighth grade, Kila School.
•  Isaac Schroeder, eighth grade, St. Matthew’s Catholic School.
•  Eowyn Zuckert, sixth grade, Olney-Bissell School.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.