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SALT LAKE CITY -- An elementary student from Sandy came very close to finishing in the top three of the National Geographic Bee Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Though he didn't make it to the stand, Anthony Cheng of Peruvian Park Elementary still ranked in the top 10. Pretty impressive, when you consider the competition started with 54 kids.
The finalists beat out nearly 5 million students who took part in state and local competitions to make it to Washington for the bee hosted by Alex Trebek. Students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and the military competed.
When Trebec asked Anthony how he prepared, Anthony said, "I used the internet a lot."
In the end, all his internet studying didn't get Anthony to first place. But even though he didn't win, he still has a lot going for him. He loves playing the piano. "My favorite composer is Chopin," Anthony said.His favorite sport is soccer.
In an interview backstage after he was eliminated, Anthony said he plans to keep on studying.
"There is so much going on. You have to know so much, so I really like the knowledge so I can stay on track," he said.
Anthony won $500 for making it to the top 10. Thirteen-year-old Aadith Moorthy of Palm Harbor, Fla., came out on top. He wins a $25,000 college scholarship and a trip to the Galapagos to experience geography firsthand.
The National Geographic Bee is for 11 to 14 year olds, so Anthony has two more years to shoot for the title.
Story compiled with contributions from Amanda Butterfield and The Associated Press.
