Michael M. Byrne School in Garfield Ridge hosted its annual spelling bee Wednesday morning, Jan. 14.
The middle grade spellers were from the sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grades, and that competition got underway just after 10 a.m.
Eighteen students anxiously sat on stage while their classmates filed into the gym to see the competition.
They sat behind a banner designed and made by spelling bee art students Daphne Hebda and Isabella Hendrzak.
The competing students get their seat after their individual classrooms hold their own spelling bee where all participate to determine two class representatives and one alternate.
Emcee and sixth-grade teacher, Robert Gebel, explained the rules, Principal Elizabeth Gallo talked to the students, and the competition got underway.
Present were Pronouncer Erin Roberts, and Judges Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Gonzales.
Students were given their word, and could ask for it to be used in a sentence, if desired.
If a word was spelled incorrectly, that student would leave the stage.
After nearly an hour of spelling words like cosmetic, unleash, fragment, frustration, and chartreuse, three remaining students entered the eighth round.
In the end, second place went to Lilianna Hernandez, and first place went to Elizabeth Trejo.
Trejo had to spell two words correctly to win, which she did, spelling scalpel and compassionate.
After the contest, all participating students were given a certificate and medal.
Trejo, who is in seventh-grade, was excited about her win.
“It’s a great win! This feels like a great academic achievement to win. I’m very happy,” she said smiling.
Prior to the middle school competition, an intermediate spelling bee was held for third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders. First place went to fifth-grader Laylanni Renteria, and fourth-grader Aleana Field came in second.
Gebel explained that Trejo may move on to CPS competition.
“The middle grades champion is considered as the school champion,” he said.
“They will now attempt to qualify for the citywide spelling bee through a specific spelling test. Byrne does offer the intermediate champion (from grades 3 through 5) an opportunity to compete in the middle grades bee with grades 6 through 8. Our intermediate champion preferred to just enjoy watching the bee.”
