Spelling bees aren’t all about sequencing letters correctly;
they are about effort, managing nerves, and developing a competitive spirit
against adversity. Fittingly, the Byrne Spelling bee’s greatest moment wasn’t
about the final result.
The competition on Friday, December 6th built
intensely through twelve rounds as the field of eighteen whittled down to two. Milany
Villa and Ines Garcia went back and forth for four more rounds, then shared a
transcendent moment of sportsmanship. As Garcia completed the round, Villa
greeted her with a high five. The crowd melted, then cheered. Seeing their
exchange, you could sense this was not about winning as much as it was about
celebrating high-level student achievement.
Then, 6th grader Milany Villa calmly walked up to
the microphone. She looked straight ahead and spelled out “seraphic” to clinch
the Byrne Spelling Bee championship. The capacity crowd went absolutely bonkers
with applause and cheers. Everyone showed appreciation to both students for a
legendary contest. More than that, they applauded because these two young
ladies won over their hearts.
Dakota Koonce won the intermediate bee in spectacular
fashion as well, with Robert Schuch coming in a close second. Koonce won on the
clinching words “bulwark” and “shiatsu”.
All had a great time as the Byrne Spelling Bee taught the students,
teachers and parents about spelling and word usage, but also about integrity
and sportsmanship.
Intermediate
1st Place – Dakota Koonce
2nd Place – Robert Schuch
Junior High
1st Place - Milany Villa
2nd Place – Ines Garcia
Left to right: intermediate spelling champion Dakota Koonce,
assistant principal Elizabeth Gallo, 2nd place speller Robert
Schuch.
Left to right: junior high spelling champion Milany Villa,
assistant principal Elizabeth Gallo, 2nd place speller Ines Garcia
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This was a fantastic event. The pronouncer was outstanding. There is nothing more inspiring than watching students accomplish advanced feats of academia.
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