REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 19, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the final results of the first-ever Encarta® Bee Challenge. The contest, over two years in the making, was designed to be the first nationwide bee that rewarded research skills for the 21st century.
In a competition reflecting today’s Internet-based information age, more than 50,000 students ages 13-18 entered and competed online. Unlike traditional bees, the Encarta Bee Challenge encouraged students to hone their research skills and ingenuity, instead of simply rewarding rote memorization. Research indicates that knowing how to find answers is increasingly critical in an information-based world. Success depends more and more upon the ability to quickly locate, analyze and use information.
The Microsoft® Encarta Bee Challenge finals event was held Saturday, Dec. 2, at the New York Public Library. Five finalists from the online competition went face to face in a fast-paced quiz show version of the game, which was hosted by Frankie Muniz, teen star of the hit TV show,
“Malcolm in the Middle.”
When it all ended, 16-year-old David Cohen, a junior at Monroe Township High School and resident of Monroe Township, N.J., emerged as the winner. David won a college scholarship worth $50,000 and selected a trip for two to Stonehenge in England as his travel prize. He will serve as the first junior editor for Encarta.com, and he will report on his travels in an essay to be posted on the Web site, located at http://www.encarta.msn.com/ , next year.
David Cohen is no stranger to national competitions, having ranked as a national semifinalist for the National Geographic Bee in 1998. He is the captain of his school’s academic team, which is ranked in the top five for the state.
The other finalists were as follows:
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Joshua Solomon, 16, a senior at Suncoast High School in Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Being diagnosed with autism at age 5 hasn’t stopped Joshua. He has an outstanding 3.96 GPA, aced his AP exams and is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
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Daniel Bach, 15, a sophomore at Woodford County High School and resident of Versailles, Ky. Daniel represented the state of Kentucky in the national MATHCOUNTS competition.
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Aimee Martin, 17, a senior at Wausau West High School in Wausau, Wis. Aimee is a National Honor Society member and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA.
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Brandon Hall, 16, attends Lisbon Central School in Lisbon, N.Y., close to the Canadian border. Brandon is graduating a year ahead of his class to start college.
Microsoft’s Learning Business Unit designs a line of award-winning interactive learning products that allow students to enhance learning through technology. Encarta Language Learning is the most recent addition to the Encarta line, which also includes the Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe, Encarta Interactive World Atlas, Encarta World English Dictionary and Encarta Africana (available individually and together in the Encarta Reference Suite).
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a
wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
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