ALBANY — Alex Steinfeldt, a sixth-grade student in Albany, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 3. He will now have a chance to advance to the next round, for a future chance at a $50,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral and written questions on geography, was the first round in the 31st annual National Geographic Bee. 

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was in early November, with thousands of schools around the United States participating. The winners at each school in each state, including Steinfeldt, 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 March 29. Winners of that competition will participate in the national championship rounds held between May 19-22. The School District of Albany had 10 contestants in this year’s bee.