Grades 5 and 6 spelling bee participants from left to right: Md Rakin Ahsan, Peck Place; Bihan Sharma, Turkey Hill; Alessia Calcaterra, Peck Place; Charlee Wolverton, Turkey Hill; River Vora, Race Brook; and Max McCutchen, Race Brook. Photo courtesy of Denise Arterbery.
Grades 3 and 4 spelling bee participants from left to right Hana Tran, Peck Place; Caroline Wong, Peck Place; Blaise Parlato, Race Brook; Aiden Ku, Turkey Hill; Iditri Nadadur, Race Brook; and Alexander Burns, Turkey Hill. Photo courtesy of Denise Arterbery.
Students across the Orange elementary school district showcased their spelling skills at two spelling bees held on April 9 at the Board of Education office.
The evening began with a competition featuring students from grades three and four competing in a bee, followed by a second bee for students in grades five and six. Each elementary school was represented by two contestants per division, all of whom earned their place through a rigorous process that began with classroom spelling bees. Classroom winners advanced to school-wide competitions, where the top two spellers on each grade level were selected to represent their schools at the district level.
Friends, families, teachers and administrators were able to celebrate the spellers during intermission.
The grade 3 and 4 division winner was Caroline Wong of Peck Place; the runner-up was Blaise Parlato of Race Brook. The grade 5 and 6 division winner was MD Rakin Ahsan of Peck Place; the runner-up was Max McCutchen of Race Brook.