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 sixth week, we are checking in with Idaho, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia. Winners of these events advance to compete in the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: Pete Caster/Tribune
In the Gem State, a spelling tradition continues for the Grimaldo family. Julia Grimaldo won her third consecutive title at the 34th Annual Inland Northwest Regional Spelling Bee in Lewiston, Idaho. The eighth-grader from Orofino Junior-Senior High School is following in the footsteps of her sisters, who also represented their community in the national finals multiple times.
The Lewiston Tribune is the sponsor, and in its coverage of the event shared that Julia got a pep talk from her sisters before the competition. Advice for her to remain calm helped. Julia won when she correctly spelled “benevolent.”
Her spelling season falls conveniently in between her other loves, volleyball and golf. She spent many hours preparing for the spelling bee. “I know I didn’t win by luck. I won by hard work,” Julia said.
Photo credit: Duke University in Durham
Another repeater heading to the national finals is Jason Sorin, a seventh-grader from Triangle Day School in North Carolina. He won the Duke University Office of Durham Affairs Regional Spelling Bee for the second time by correctly spelling “afflatus.” The competition included 58 school spelling bee champions and lasted 12 rounds. Jason competed in the national finals in 2018 thanks to the RSVBee program. He last won the Duke regional event in 2017.
Organizers commented on the impressive display of sportsmanship the spellers demonstrated. “Not only are these students remarkable spellers, they are also exemplary competitors. Their supportive and caring attitude embody the spirit of the spelling bee. This event is all about fostering personal and academic growth through friendly competition. We are proud of all of the spellers,” said Channa Pickett, senior program coordinator, Office of Durham Affairs.
Photo credit: Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal
In Ohio, the number 13 on her placard proved to be good luck for Riya Hegde, a sixth-grader from Hudson Middle School in Hudson. She battled 30 other spellers to win the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee. The newspaper has been a regional sponsor since the inception of the National Spelling Bee in 1925.
Riya’s victory came in the 19th round, when she correctly spelled “Marmite.” She and her good friend, Anna Liu, last year’s regional champion, were the final two spellers. Anna told the newspaper reporter she hopes to return to the national finals through RSVBee.
In Dallas, a tiebreaker test determined the winner of the 61st Annual Golden Chick Dallas Regional Spelling Bee. The day started with 24 students. When four spellers remained, they took a 25-word written spelling test.
Photo credit: WFAA
Abhijay Kodali, a sixth-grader from McKamy Middle School in Flower Mound, Texas, won the competition outright with a perfect score on the test. Two students missed only one word each, resulting in a tie for second place. The top two spellers advance from the Dallas region, and since there was a tie, all three spellers will advance. Rojan Raja from Dallas County Public Schools and Sohum Sukhatankar from Dallas County Private Schools tied for second place.
Abhijay placed third in the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee and Rojan finished 10th. Spellers from the Dallas region took the top three spots in last year’s national finals, including the 2018 National Champion, Karthik Nemmani.
Mail Regional Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: Chris Dorst/
Gazette-Mail
The focus is already on the national finals for the winner of the Gazette-Mail Regional Spelling Bee in West Virginia. Mark Imbing, a seventh-grader from Beckley-Stratton Middle School, wasted no time on his regional win before thinking ahead to May. “I’m kind of nervous,” Mark said to the event sponsor, the Charleston Gazette-Mail. “From watching last year, I remember not knowing some of the words they used, so I’m going to make sure I study. I’m excited too, though. Really excited. This is just an honor, and the Lord God helped me today.”
Check back each week as we share more success stories from spellers whose journeys are taking them to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Click on the links below to read the full stories from this week’s spelling bee recap:
Duke University Office of Durham & Regional Affairs