News Detail
Sophomore wins national title as upper school academic team excels
Jaz Puri ’28 captured the 2026 Junior Varsity National History Bee Championship in Washington D.C., April 23-25, leading an impressive showing by Ransom Everglades’ academic team at the International Academic Competitions (IAC) National History Bee and Bowl Tournament. Puri also earned a gold medal on the Recent History exam, a silver on the Military History test and helped RE’s varsity team – which included Parker Jelke '27, Zach Corbin-Cheah '27 and Gabrielle Tchira '27 – to a fifth-place finish in the bowl event.
The event brought together 96 varsity and 60 junior varsity teams from across the country.
“Jaz’s victory in the National History Bee reflects his exceptional knowledge and the many hours he dedicated to preparation," said IAC Executive Director David Madden. "I congratulate him on his achievement this year and look forward to seeing his continued success in the future.”
“Jaz’s victory in the National History Bee reflects his exceptional knowledge and the many hours he dedicated to preparation," said IAC Executive Director David Madden. "I congratulate him on his achievement this year and look forward to seeing his continued success in the future.”
Besides Puri, other top performers included Parker Jelke, who placed fifth in the Varsity National History Bee and earned four individual medals, and Corbin-Cheah, who took second place in the National Political Science Bee. Noah Veras ’29 earned a gold medal in the JV Ancient History exam.
The teams were led by coaches Abby Berler and Branly Fontaine. See a full summary of the results below:
Team - Bowl
- Varsity (5th Place): Parker Jelke '27, Zach Corbin-Cheah '27, Gabrielle Tchira '27, and Jaz Puri '28.
- JV A (10th Place): Jack Gonzalez '28, Noah Veras '29, Julian Jelke '29, Harlan Hoenig '28, and Hank Derick '28.
- JV B: Iker Fierro '28, Daniel Coscarelli '29, Evan Powe '29, Idris Huggins '29, and Selin Kaleli '28
Individual - Bee and Exams
Jaz Puri '28
Jaz Puri '28
- 2026 JV National History Bee Champion
- 3rd Place: JV National Political Science Bee
- Gold Medal: JV Recent History Exam
- Silver Medal: JV Military History
- 4th Place: JV Ancient History
- 7th Place: JV Women’s History Exam
Parker Jelke '27
- 5th Place: Varsity National History Bee
- Silver Medal: Varsity Ancient History Exam
- Bronze Medal: Varsity European History Exam
- Bronze Medal: Varsity Military History Exam
- Bronze Medal: Varsity Historical Geography Exam
- Semifinalist: U.S. History Bee
Zachary Corbin-Cheah '27
- 2nd Place: National Political Science Bee
- Silver Medal: National International Affairs Exam
Jack Gonzalez '28
- 7th Place: JV National Academic Bee
- 6th Place: JV Women’s History Exam
- Semifinalist: JV U.S. History Bee, National Academic Bee and National History Bee
Noah Veras '29
- Gold Medal: JV Ancient History Exam
- Silver Medal: JV Recent History Exam
- Semifinalist: JV National History Bee and JV Geography Bee
Iker Fierro '28
- 5th Place: JV International Affairs Exam
- 5th Place: JV Map and Flag Exam
- Semifinalist: Varsity National Geography Bee and JV National Political Science Bee
Julian Jelke '29
- Semifinalist: U.S. History Bee
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
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3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.