How many words can you spell correctly in 60 seconds? This skill is what decided the winners of the 5th Annual Christian County Literacy Council Spelling Bee.
The evening started with anxious whispers and nervous glances, but ended with thunderous applause and confident celebration.
14 rounds dwindled the Intermediate Division from 12 to two – last year’s winner Charlie Toliver and sixth grader Avishi Shah. Shah is no stranger to the Bee, though, having placed second in the Primary Division last year. After 5 rounds of head-to-head, with the words anonymous and apparatus stumping both contestants, the judges decided to have a Spell Off. Each had 60 seconds to spell as many words as possible.
click to download audioShah correctly spelled 5 to Toliver’s 4, taking the first-place medal. Toliver received second, and third went to Maanya Patel. Shah and Patel attend University Heights Academy, and Toliver attends Christian County Middle School.
The Primary Division faced a similar end with 29 students narrowing to 2 in 12 rounds. The twist, the final two standing were brothers Zoraiz and Zuraib Iqbal. The Spell Off started with a little friendly ribbing before Zuraib took the stage.
click to download audioHe managed to spell nine words correctly in the 60 seconds, cinching first place. Zoraiz took second, and Kennadie Alvin third. All three attend South Christian Elementary School Each winner received a medal, a monetary prize, and a token for the Literacy Launcher book vending machine at the Visitor’s Center.
If this journey sounds like fun to you, grab a dictionary, find your favorite word, and prepare for next year’s Annual Spelling Bee. (All italized words were given as spelling words in the contest.)
