Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
This year's top spellers in the Kimball Public Schools spelling bee were Hawthorne siblings Andrew, an eighth grader, and Katie, a sixth grader. Andrew correctly spelled the word "pervading" to win the bee.
The annual Kimball Public Schools spelling bee was held Wednesday, Jan. 31. Twenty-four students ranging from fourth through eighth grade filled the chairs on the stage of Harry E. McNees Auditorium in anticipation of their turn to spell their way to victory.
Fourth grade spellers participating in the event included Meera Chaudhari in first place in her grade, Ay'sel Gusman, Adie Weinbender, Laural Norberg, and Barry Baber, Jr.
Fifth grade contestants were Barrett Brown in first place, Chloe Duran, Kalli Shoup, Kaizi Bennett, and Blayden Serrano.
Representing the sixth grade were Katie Hawthorne in first place, Ragen Markum, Jace Reich, Ava Anderson and Elyiahs Gusman.
Seventh grade spellers included Mackenzie Miller in first place, Kyndal Reich, Briley Baxendale, Tyler Whitney, and Reese Kaminski.
Completing the list of spellers were the eighth graders. They were Andrew Hawthorne in first place, Deanna Solis, Abdiel Flores and Connor Markum.
The oral spelling bee eliminated each of the contestants one by one until only two remained. The final two spellers were siblings Andrew and Katie Hawthorne. The Hawthornes dueled against each other, spelling multiple words until Andrew spelled the final word of the bee ("pervading") correctly.
As the champion of the local bee, Andrew will continue on to compete in the Omaha Sports Commission Regional Spelling Bee held in the Strauss Performing Arts Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha on March 9. Should Andrew be unable to participate, Katie will participate in his stead.