Worldly-Wisest Student Proves She Knows Where She's Going

Ready? Set? Go!

"A city that is divided by a river of the same name was the imperial capital of Vietnam for more than a century. Name this city, which is still an important cultural center."

Tick, tick, tick . . . Bing.

Stumped?

Not Caitlin Snaring. On that clincher, capping a flawless run of answers, the 14-year-old from Washington state sailed to victory yesterday as the first female champion of the National Geographic Bee in 16 years.

Snaring beat out nine other finalists who had emerged from the nearly 5 million elementary and middle school students nationwide competing for the 2007 title.

"I was totally confident that I could do it," Caitlin said after the competition at the National Geographic Society's D.C. headquarters, clutching her giant $25,000 college scholarship prize check. "I want to travel everywhere, so knowing where every place is is a real advantage."

Suneil Iyer, 12, of Kansas, placed second, winning a $15,000 scholarship. Suneil took fourth last year, and this loss stung. "I was more nervous than last year," he said. "Because I'd been there before and I felt the pressure."

Mark Arildsen, 13, of Nashville, who takes apart and rebuilds computers in his spare time, knocked out Francisco Vargas of Puerto Rico, a part-time concert pianist, for third place and a $10,000 scholarship.

Each finalist won $500 for advancing beyond a preliminary round Tuesday that included 55 contestants from the 50 states and other U.S. jurisdictions.

Sitting on the rocks of an outdoor courtyard before the finals, Virginia's Partha Narasimhan (of Aldie) and Ohio's Jon Moller (of Cincinnati) traded war stories. Both had been eliminated Tuesday, along with Maryland's Raynell Cooper (of Rockville).

"We just came thaaat close," Partha said, peering through a razor-thin slit between his thumb and forefinger.