There are 26 letters in the alphabet but when you start to string them together, there are more than 170,000 options in English. Students from Christian County tested their knowledge, resolve, and spelling ability Monday night at the 4th Annual Christian County Literacy Council Spelling Bee.
27 students from grades 3 to 8 competed in two divisions, spelling a total of 95 words. While the night was filled with many cheers, the occasional
could be heard as the fields narrowed.
Sarah Jackson, a 5th grade student at South Christian Elementary School, finished second last year and after surviving five rounds proved her merit when the other top three contestants misspelled a word. Judge Brett Pritchett clarified the situation for reader Francene Gilmer.
click to download audioJackson clinched her win by then spelling skiing.
Avishi Shah of UHA took 2nd and Ella Turner of Pembroke Elementary took 3rd. The two girls battled through 27 words with Maanya Patel of UHA.
The Intermediate Division 1st Place title went to Brandon Toliver, a 6th grade student from CCMS.
click to download audio7th grade CCMS student, Zoe Davis took home 2nd Place, and 6th Grade HMS student, John Carson Vergara wrestled the 3rd Place title with the word “gruesome”.
Toliver and Jackson received $150 cash prizes along with 5 vouchers for the Literacy Launcher, a book vending machine at the Visitor’s Center. 2nd Place winners received $100 and 3 vouchers, and 3rd Place winners $50 and 2 vouchers.
CCLC President, Joey Renshaw says literacy is about more than reading.
click to download audioThe Literacy Council will host a Real Men Read event on October 22nd and the Annual Community Reader Day on November 15th.
Word lists –
Middle school:
Ability
Ballad
Entire
Reply
Constituent
Obsolete
Mute
Bleary
Decimal
Requirement
Migraine
Millionaire
Blown
psychology
Navigator
Oasis
Debris
Gruesome
Atrocity
Gaudy
Astute
Cleanse – championship word
Primary:
Cross
Bench
Beach
Broke
Beyond
Cancel
People
Pitch
School
House
Leash
Vanish
Barren
Extract
Mango
Beagle
Galaxy
Erase
Cousin
Cactus
Kidney
Detour
Accept
Rumor
Melody
Exact
Shelter
Declare
Forward
Flannel
Trouble
Freckle
Charity
Strategy
Jealous
Spaghetti
Feline
Volcano
Serious
Wrestle
Sundae
Slogan
Mosquito
Marathon
Tarmac
Skiing – championship word
Genetic
Originate
Listener
Emotional
Distraught
Dandelion
Cucumber
Janitor
Nephew
Successful
Blizzard
Bedlam
Magician
Moisture
Harmonious
Satellite
Guardian
Ignition
Individual
Extremity
Fervent
Foreign
Decision
Bronze
Burial
Imaginary
Antibiotic
