In recognition of regional spelling bee competitions across the country and in other parts of the world, we are showcasing a few of the local contests. In this second week, we are checking in with Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Winners of these events advance to compete in the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: Shelley Hanson/The Times Leader
In eastern Ohio, 18 spellers participated in the 33rd annual Belmont County Spelling Bee. The last one standing was eighth-grader Hannah Leach from Barnesville Middle School. She won the event, sponsored by The Times Leader, when she successfully spelled “pacifism” and “colloquial.”
In the newspaper’s coverage, Hannah credited her parents and sister with helping her prepare by studying every night. She also shared that the grand prize of a trip to Washington, D.C., is especially meaningful. “I’ve never been there before,” she told The Times Leader. “I’m excited to go there and see it and experience it. It’s something new.”
Photo credit: Drew C. Wilson/Times
In North Carolina, the Wilson County Spelling Bee was an impressive 39-round battle, with 22 of those rounds between the final two spellers. Jordan Carter, a home-schooled eighth-grader won with “trattoria.” She had a great study partner with her little sister, Reagan, who also competed and placed seventh. Jordan added that the bee helped her handle pressure, which she said will be important as she pursues a career as a counselor for teenagers.
The Wilson Times celebrated a notable milestone — 30 years as the regional sponsor. The local paper will send Jordan and her family to D.C. for Bee Week.
Photo credit: University of Memphis
In Memphis, Tennessee, spellers were grateful to stay close to home this year for the Shelby County Spelling Bee. Without a sponsor in 2018, school champions traveled to Nashville for their regional contest. This year, the University of Memphis and Christian Brothers University partnered to serve as sponsors and to host the regional event.
Sophia Overstreet, an eighth-grader from Riverdale Elementary, won in the 15th round when she took her time spelling “accusatory.” She shared with the Daily Memphian newspaper an important reminder for all spellers. “When I got the word ‘accusatory,’ I knew that I knew the word, and in my head, I was just like, ‘Okay, I can’t screw this up!’ So, I had to take a minute to get myself under control.”
In Pennsylvania, at the Chester County Spelling Bee, a familiar face will once again represent the Downingtown community in the national finals. Jordi DeJong, an eighth-grader from Villa Maria Academy, defended her title as last year’s champion. She correctly spelled “lurid” and immediately put her hands to her mouth smiling with great enthusiasm, knowing what she just accomplished.
Photo credit: Chester Co. IU
Jordi loves to read and firmly believes the vocabulary she has amassed over time is key to her recognizing some of the most challenging words. She will keep reading and studying as she prepares for the national finals.
Check back each week as we share more success stories from spellers whose journeys are taking them to the nation’s capital.
Click on the links below to read the full story on some of this week’s spelling bee recap:
The Times Leader Belmont County Spelling Bee
The Wilson Times Spelling Bee in Wilson, North Carolina
Shelby County Spelling Bee