Fifth-graders secure top spots in annual spelling bee

Eighteen students seated on stage waiting for spelling bee to beginAfter many rounds of friendly competition, fifth-grader Abdul Hadi Shoaib from Janina Rudzinski’s class correctly spelled the word “bibliophile” to clinch the title of WES Spelling Bee champion in January! Fifth-grade classmate Elijah Yepez spelled his way to second place and Sienna Williamson, a fifth-grade student in Joelle Bird’s class, placed third.

To reach the schoolwide bee, students in grades 4 and 5 first had to win their classroom competitions. In all 18 participants received certificates of achievement, with the top three spellers taking home trophies.

Superintendent of School Dr. Donald Stevens, Board of Education President Mrs. Mary Beth Whited, and Director of Special Education Services Mrs. Molly McGrath served as judges. Assistant Principal Meg Maset emceed and was the pronouncer of the words.

Congratulations to all spelling bee participants! Shout out to the families, friends, teachers and students who attended the bee to support the spellers!

Spelling bee champion, second and third place spellers hold trophies and smile at the camera

A student stands at the microphone ready to compete in spelling bee A student stands at the microphone ready to compete in spelling bee A student stands at the microphone ready to compete in spelling bee

 View additional photos on the district’s Facebook page

Spelling Bee Participants

 

Grade 4

  • Ahmadullah Amani
  • Diangelo (DJ) Bariteau
  • Christian Bassett
  • Ever Elliott
  • Lincoln Gilligan
  • Preston Hogan
  • Jaelyn Mele
  • Kaden Pankow
  • A’Nyla Simmons

Grade 5

  • Calvin Berhaupt
  • Te’zhi Ford
  • Ellie Guo
  • London Johnson
  • Haya Kamal
  • Ava Lee
  • Abdul Hadi Shoaib
  • Sienna Williamson
  • Elijah Yepez