BEDFORD, N.H. — A 13-year-old New Hampshire girl is one of the top 10 finalists in the preliminary round of the National Geographic Bee in Washington.

Neelam Sandhu (NEE’-lum SAN’-doo) is a seventh-grade student at Ross Lurgio Middle School in Bedford.

The finalists are culled from 54 competitors from across the country. They will compete in the final round on Thursday, moderated by “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek. It will be showed on air that night on the National Geographic Channel.

Ben MacLean, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from York Middle School competed in the event. He was the two-time Maine state champion.

First prize is a $25,000 college scholarship, lifetime membership in the National Geographical Society and a trip to the Galapagos Islands.