The 1st National Geographic Bee was held in Washington, D.C., on May 19, 1989, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The final competition was moderated by Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. The winner was Jack Staddon of Great Bend Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School in Great Bend, Kansas, who won a $25,000 college scholarship. The 2nd-place winner, Michael Shannon of Reading, Massachusetts, won a $15,000 scholarship. The 3rd-place winner, Kieu Luu of Riverdale, Maryland, won a $10,000 scholarship. 1989 State Champions State Winner's Name Grade School City/Town Notes Alabama Matthew Joseph Mountain Gap Middle School Huntsville Top 10 finalist Arkansas Michael Sundell Top 10 finalist Indiana Ralph Feldhake 8th Indianapolis Top 10 finalist Kansas Jack Staddon 8th Great Bend 1989 Champion Maryland Kieu Luu Riverdale Third Place Massachusetts Michael Shannon Reading Second Place New York Christopher Dziedzic Top 10 finalist Oregon Benjamin Foley Top 10 finalist Utah Ian King Churchill Junior High Millcreek Top 10 finalist Washington Christopher Hayward Spokane Top 10 finalist References
External links National Geographic Bee Official Website