FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"JEOPARDY!" CLUE CREW MEMBERS TO MODERATE STATE GEOGRAPHIC BEES

WASHINGTON (March 20, 2003)—Members of the "Jeopardy!" Clue Crew, the team of roving correspondents who roam the world taping questions for America's popular quiz show, will travel to unusual new locations next month—state competitions of the National Geographic Bee. On April 4 Clue Crew member Jimmy McGuire will moderate the New York Geographic Bee at New York State Museum in Albany, Sarah Whitcomb will moderate the California Geographic Bee at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Cheryl Farrell will moderate the Pennsylvania Geographic Bee at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg and Sofia Lidskog will moderate the Connecticut Geographic Bee at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.

The Clue Crew members were selected by "Jeopardy!" after a nationwide search that attracted thousands of applicants. The Clue Crew has traveled to international landmarks, historical sites and special events to tape video clues, which are incorporated into the quiz show throughout the year.

As moderators of the state-level competitions of the National Geographic Bee, Clue Crew members will participate in a rigorous competition involving some of the brightest young minds of each state. The competitors' geographic knowledge is higher than the Clue Crew is likely to have encountered before—even on "Jeopardy!"

The state bees are the second level of the 2003 National Geographic Bee, which began last December with contests in more than 15,000 schools across the country. As many as 100 students in each state, who won their school bees and then earned a top score on a written exam prepared by the Society, will compete on April 4. Each state winner will receive $100, a National Geographic globe and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington for the May 20-21 finals.

The championship round of the National Geographic Bee on May 21 will be held at National Geographic Society headquarters and will air that day nationally on the National Geographic Channel. Produced by Maryland Public Television, the finals will be broadcast later on public television stations. Check local listings for viewing times.

CONTACT: Ellen Siskind
+1 202 857 7001
esiskind@ngs.org