Bee finalists at middle school

Woodland Middle School's learning resource center will be the site of a local 2011 National Geographic Bee.

It'll begin at 9 a.m. Jan. 6 at the Gurnee school. Officials say 23 finalists from sixth, seventh and eighth grade will participate for the National Geographic Bee's first round.

The winner of the Woodland Middle School Bee will advance to the next level of competition, a written examination to determine state competition.

All school winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $25,000 college scholarship, May 24 and 25 in Washington D.C.