West Liberty-Salem held it’s elementary Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 7th, 2020. Eight 4th graders and eight 5th graders were selected to participate after competing in classroom level competition in December. Those 16 students, out of around 200, competed in front of their peers and families for an impressive 18 rounds. Curriculum Director Stacy Dunn moderated, while Mrs. Beres and Mrs. Jurich, both Intervention Specialists, and Mrs. Kale, 4th grade teacher judged the event. Fourth grader Brayden Hupp was this year’s champion, spelling ‘memorial’ for the win. Drew Boyer, also fourth grade, was runner up. Elementary Principal Aaron Hollar congratulated all sixteen students on a great competition noting the highlight for him, “was watching each and every contestant cheering each other on with a thumbs up or a high five.” Hupp, Spelling Bee Champion, will go on to compete in an online vocabulary and spelling test in March against other champions throughout Ohio. This test will determine his eligibility for the State Spelling Bee this spring. Congratulations to our winners and participants, and good luck in the next round, Brayden!
Brayden Hupp Drew Boyers
4th grade, bottom row: Brayan Gullet, Maddie Hill, Drew Boyer, Josiah Thomas, Ashlyn Taylor, Gussie Keller, Braden Hupp, Ellis Koons
5th grade: Xzavior Nichol, Miles Christison, Bayes Lapp, Bryson Jones, Zoe Carter, Savannah Gluckle, Eli Sertell, Thaddeus Kitchen