Lower School Spelling Bee Champ Goes 39 Rounds

This year’s Lower School Spelling Bee championship word, charolais, was spelled by Ava Venturini ’34: Derived from a French geographical name, charolais is a breed of large white cattle developed in France. Zara Mgbemena ’35 was Runner-Up. The bee featured 25 incredible third and fourth grade spellers who were challenged to spell 200 words over the course of 39 rounds. 

In addition to Venturini and Mgbemena, the following third and fourth graders showed off their exceptional spelling skills:

Third Grade
Charlotte Alexander
William Bornitz
Ava Desmond
Isaiah Lou-Strigler
Teddy McAnally
Ceciia Montgomery
Jack Moore
Beau Singleton
Coco Stein
Payton Nicole Warren
Jude West
James Wright

Fourth Grade
Olivia Vavin
Elizabeth Berkes
Kathryn Deegan
Emmalyn Dobbs
Maya Farr
Claire Hall
Samantha Herman
Mira Kelso
Nicholas Laborde
Sam More
Bunyada Song

Approximately 60 students took a preliminary written spelling test, and 25 passed on to the live, in-person spelling bee on February 26. The study list included words from the Scripps National Spelling Bee School Spelling Bee List.

Fourth-Grade Teacher Kelly Jenkins has organized the spelling bee for the past five years. With “bee” experience from her previous schools, she approached Head of Lower School Trey Blair about hosting one at FWCD, and in 2022, the inaugural Lower School Bee was held. “Going into middle school, students have the opportunity to participate in spelling bees, and I think that offering this third- and fourth-grade option is a great way for students to try it out and see what they are capable of,” Jenkins said. 

For Jenkins, the spelling bee allows students to demonstrate their spelling and vocabulary skills. “I think it also builds self-confidence when students see that they can stand in front of a crowd of their peers,” she said. “Students also gain valuable communication and public speaking skills through participation. These students truly showed that they can perform and succeed under pressure. 

“I hope that all students participating took away a sense of pride in themselves,” Jenkins added. “It takes a lot of determination and courage to stand up in front of others and speak publicly. No matter the outcome, they all demonstrated that they are strong and resilient.”

Assistant Director of Admission Joanna Harrison served as the pronouncer, and Shannon Allen, Communications and Constituent Relations Manager; Chelsy Beninate, Assistant Head of School for Operations and Security, and Amy Witten, Assistant Head of School for Student Services and Academics, served as judges.