null

SJCOE Hosts 2015 California State Elementary Spelling Bee

54 students from 28 counties come to Stockton to compete in statewide championship

STOCKTON – When the 2015 California State Elementary Spelling Bee started Saturday morning, there were 54 students from 28 counties across the state lined up and ready to show what got them to the state championship in the first place.

By the final four rounds it was down to two spellers in a back-and-forth duel, correctly spelling word after word: pneumonia, dulcimer, caterwauling, filigree and others.

Ananya Vinay, a 10-year-old fourth grader from Fresno County, started off the 18th round correctly spelling “stroganoff.”

Varnika Kailash, a 12-year-old sixth grader from Sonoma County, just missed the mark when asked to spell “lugubrious.”

And so ended a dramatic day where brilliant students spelled difficult words in front of a crowd of more than 300 at the State Elementary Spelling Bee, hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education and sponsored by the Teachers College of San Joaquin.

“They have competed in local bees to get to this spot, so these are the best-of-the-best spellers,” said Annie Cunial, Coordinator of Student Events and Activities at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. “All of the students should be commended, not just for their spelling abilities, but for their bravery to take part. They can draw on this experience later on in life, and it will take them farther than any trophy or medal that they receive.”

Ananya received the championship trophy, and the remaining nine finalists received trophies of their own. Everybody who competed received a medal, as well as an iPod Shuffle inside a Spelling Bee backpack, courtesy of Teachers College of San Joaquin. Ananya received an iPad.

Two sixth graders from schools in San Joaquin County competed in the state contest. Caleb Terpsma, 12, represented Ripon Christian School. From Lincoln Unified School District, Brookside Elementary School’s Sepenta Shirvan finished among the 10 finalists.

Before the State Elementary Spelling Bee got started on the morning of April 18, spellers posed for pictures outside the Wentworth Education Center at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.  Some ate breakfast with family members as they waited for the contest to begin.

San Joaquin County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Jane Steinkamp welcomed all the competitors before Round 1 began. Spell Master Tim Daly, reporter from News 10, presided over the competition.

At the end of the day, Ananya’s family gathered around her before she left the stage.  She said she loved reading, and that helped her prepare for the Bee.

“I just read a lot, and I looked up words when I didn’t know the meeting,” she said with a bright smile.

“I’m feeling very happy.”

Posted: 4/20/2015