Hi everyone,

We have some exciting news to share—our son Sam, a 6th grader from Oregon, just won 1st place in regionals in the International Academic Competitions, National Geography Bee!

Sam has always had a deep love for geography—he spends hours poring over maps, memorizing capitals, and quizzing us on random country facts (and usually stumps us!). This passion has been such a big part of who he is, and winning the regional competition was not just a huge accomplishment—it was a big confidence boost for him, too. Like many kids, Sam has faced his share of self-doubt, but this win reminded him that hard work and curiosity really do pay off.

Now he’s been invited to compete at the National Geography Bee in Orlando, Florida on May 22nd, where he'll compete with kids from all over the country and we couldn’t be prouder. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but getting there comes with some travel expenses that we were not prepared for.

We’re hoping to raise $2,900 to help cover the costs of flights, hotel, and registration fees. With the competition just around the corner, any support—whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this page—means the world to us and to Sam.

Thank you so much for cheering him on and helping make his dream a reality!

With gratitude,

Kim and Josh (Sam’s proud parents)