Undeterred by the pressure, fourth-grader captures Spelling Bee championship

This year’s annual Spelling Bee at Watervliet Elementary School came down to two good friends vying to be crowned champion. After 30 rounds and 126 words, fourth-grader Abigail Gray spelled the word “deters” correctly to nudge out her friend, fifth-grader Mackenzie Strock, and become champion of the 2019-20 Spelling Bee. (Fun fact: Mackenzie was the third-place finisher in last year’s bee!)

Thirteen participants overall competed in the spelling contest, with music teacher Jeff Roberts presiding over the bee as the official pronouncer, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lori Caplan, Assistant Superintendent Don Stevens and WES Principal Kelly Webster serving as judges.

To earn a spot on the spelling bee roster, each of the students in fourth through sixth grade first had to win their individual classroom competitions. Congratulations to all spelling bee participants and to families and friends for their support!

• Fourth grade: Atticus Chamberlin, Abigail Gray, Imam Kamal, Savaira Rehan
• Fifth-grade: Nate Hartkern, Jayla LaParl, Kelly Popson (5/6) Mackenzie Strock, Billy VanPatten
• Sixth-grade: Anahi Calzada, Colby Ford, Kylee Shellenberger, Marquis Simms