Tampa Bay student to compete in national, international geography bee
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — A local middle school student has been preparing to compete in national and international geography bees this summer.
Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 School Student Brayden Lyons, 13, won first place in the 7th grade division of the Tampa Bay Regional Competition.
He will now travel to Orlando next month for the national geography competition.
Because of his top score at regionals, he will also travel to Austria in July for an international geography bee organized by International Academic Competitions.
“I can’t wait to go against the kids from all around the world,” Lyons said. “It feels good.”
According to Brayden’s parents, his interest in reading and geography began in elementary school.
“We’re very proud of him,” Melissa Lyons said. “That intrinsic motivation is something that is just amazing, especially at his age.”
According to Brayden, his mother, Melissa, his father, Derrick and his sister, Juliette, are part of his main support system as he prepares for these next two adventures.
“I want to be a diplomat; I want to go to other places and travel. I think I have a basic understanding of geography to be one.” he said.
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