We recently witnessed an exhilarating showcase of intellect, determination, and linguistic prowess as our scholars took center stage in our annual Spelling Bee competition. From nail-biting rounds to impressive displays of spelling mastery, the event was a true testament to the talent and dedication of our students.

In the weeks leading up to the Spelling Bee, scholars went through different rounds before we came to 24 scholars who participated in the final round. For the 1st round, teachers conducted a quick knockout round in December, with all students in the whole class given the option to participate until the top 3 were left standing. These top 3 were given the option to move on to the school spelling bee. For the knockout round, the teacher received a grade-level list of words, plus a grade above, to read from. Students did not know the words ahead of time. 

For the 2nd and final round of the school spelling bee, a spelling bee parent letter and a spelling bee study list were sent home. The 4th-6th finalists competed by grade level until the 1st-place winners from each grade level competed against each other.

On the day of the Spelling Bee, our school MPR buzzed with anticipation as participants and scholars gathered to witness the competition unfold. The atmosphere crackled with energy as our fearless spellers took to the stage, ready to put their skills to the test. Round after round, scholars faced a series of increasingly challenging words, ranging from the commonly used to the delightfully obscure. The tension mounted as the competition narrowed to the final contestants, who demonstrated remarkable poise and composure under pressure.

After an intense battle of words, we crowned our Spelling Bee champion, Johnny Gomez, and the runner-up, Melaku Heikaus-Weaver. The winner will get a chance to compete at the Riverside County Spelling Bee on March 28, with the runner-up as an alternate. These exceptional students showcased not only their impeccable spelling abilities but also their resilience, focus, and love for learning. Their dedication and hard work exemplify the spirit of excellence we strive to cultivate at REACH. The grade level winners were Melaku Heikaus-Weaver for 4th, Johnny Gomez for 5th, and Keyon Goe for 6th. 

Great job to all the finalists who competed in the Spelling Bee today! Every participant in the Spelling Bee deserves recognition and praise for their dedication and bravery. Whether they made it to the final rounds or stumbled on a challenging word, each scholar demonstrated courage and determination by stepping onto the stage and putting their skills to the test. We commend every participant for their efforts and celebrate their commitment to academic excellence. In case you missed the live session, the links and passcodes to the Spelling Bee Zoom recordings are available on Class Dojo.