One hundred twenty-five of the top spellers from local public, private and charter schools competed in the countywide Spelling Tournament this week at Miners Foundry Cultural Center.  The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office coordinated the annual event which was sponsored by The Union and Miners Foundry.  For the thirteenth year in a row, Kathy Hillis of Mountain Pastimes volunteered her time as “Spellmaster,” dictating words and conducting the oral spelling bee.

The day started with students competing in teams of five for the overall best spelling school, followed by an individual spelling bee. In the fifth and sixth grade team competition, first place went to Seven Hills with Forest Charter placing second and the team from Grass Valley Charter taking third place. In the seventh and eighth grade competition, Seven Hills received the first place award with Mount St. Mary’s Academy and Lyman Gilmore placing second and third respectively.

The following students participated in the Elementary and Junior High Spelling Bees:

In 5th & 6th grades:

Caitlin Babcock – Grass Valley Charter

Amber Busse – Seven Hills

Payton Giammona – Mount St. Mary’s Academy

Rhiannon Moore – Forest Charter

Gabe Van Orden – Alta Sierra/Magnolia

Victor Weiss – Pleasant Valley

Cypress Wondergem – Grizzly Hill

Eva Zliman – Seven Hills

 

In 7th & 8th grades:

Andrea Beltran – Seven Hills

Connor Bente – Lyman Gilmore

Romeo Connors – Forest Charter

Rebecca Funk – Pleasant Valley

Annie McDaniel – Mount St. Mary’s Academy

Nicholas Rodriguez – Magnolia

Maddy Rossitto – Mount St. Mary’s Academy

Riley Slater – Clear Creek

Kaia Smith – Twin Ridges Home Study

Gracie Suenram – Lyman Gilmore

Leo Zlimen – Seven Hills

 

Rhiannon Moore emerged as the winner of the 5^th and 6^th grade competition with Caitlin Babcock taking second place.  They now qualify to attend the 2013 California State Elementary Spelling Championship held in April in Stockton.

 

Romeo Connors won top honors in the 7^th and 8^th grade competition with Nicholas Rodriguez taking second place.  These students now qualify to participate in the 2013 California State Junior High Spelling Bee to be held in May in San Rafael.