Joe Deyak, a sixth-grader at Southwest Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 10 and is once step closer to a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship.

The school-level bee was the first round in the 26th annual National Geographic Bee. Other participants in the school-level finals included: Chase Hill, Jordan Johnson, Andrea Minehart, Alexi Heavner, Jose Zerefino, Tierney Murtaugh, Hayden Johnston, Carson Stadheim, Conner Veldman, Cole Indrelie, Kamden Larson, Carter Simon, Anna Bordewick, Drew Sorenson, Dane Brownlow, Gavin Lawrence, Zane Sadauskis, Tanner Darbo, Max Pleimling, Zach Terry, Katie Funk, Mackenzie Deyo, Erik Hareid, Aliyah Verness, Dylan Studier, Cole Wentzel, Scotty Gilbertson, Tamara Lopez, Aidan Moffitt, Jaxon Heilman, Chris Abrego, Jake Ware, Julissa Gilbertson Evan Hareid, Zach Glazier and Joey Pulley.

The kickoff for this year’s bee was the week of Nov. 11 with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Deyak take a written test; up to 100 of the top scores in each state will be eligible to compete in their state competition.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the bee national championship rounds on May 19 to 21.. The first-place national winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.