Eighth-grader qualified to show geographic knowledge

Do you know the other country, besides France, that the region of Alsace-Lorraine has changed hands with four times since 1870?

Ava Soleimany does — it’s Germany.

The Harbor Day School eighth-grader recently qualified to be a finalist in the 2008 California Geographic Bee put on by the National Geographic Society.

The 100 top students will compete April 4 at Consumnes River College for the state title and $100. The winner earns a trip to Washington D.C. for a chance at the national title and a $25,000 scholarship.

Geography bees were held from fourth through eighth grade. School winners were given a qualifying test, which was turned in to the National Society. The state’s top 100 scores were chosen for the competition.

— Daniel Tedford