Vicenza students compete in spelling bee

By Ms. Julie Lucas (IMCOM)January 27, 2014

Vicenza students compete in spelling bee
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Vicenza students compete in spelling bee
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Vicenza students compete in spelling bee
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"Exorcism," "wheedle" and "bulbous" were just a few of the final words in play during the Vicenza PTSA Spelling Bee competition Jan. 15 at Vicenza Elementary School.

In all, 21 VES students second grade to fifth grade competed against each other on stage, repeating words and spelling them out in front of judges, parents and friends.

"We start the whole process in November, December with teachers holding individual class spelling bees with those students who are interested," said Trina Downey, VES second-grade teacher and spelling bee coordinator.

"It is not forced on every student. We want the whole experience to be enjoyable and a good experience," she said.

Students were given a list of words to study in preparation for the contest. The bee was judged by school liaison officer Nori McCall, Mediterranean District instructional support specialist Diane Yoesting, and U.S. Army Africa's Col. Timothy Beckner.

"As a judge, you have to know the rules of the competition and these are national rules obtained from Scripps National Spelling Bee," said McCall, who was officiating as a judge for the fourth time.

"Many of the students have different techniques of spelling the word out first in their mind or using their hand and writing the word with their fist before actually uttering that first letter," she said.

Taking first place in the VES competition, after correctly spelling the word "resin," was second-grader Micah Austin, son of Maj. Matthew and Tricia Austin, and a student in Mary Generelli's class.

Vicenza Middle School also held its competition later that day with 28 participants. Sixth-grader Selomi Dayaprema correctly spelled the word "quagmire" to win the VMS contest. Judges for the middle school included McCall, Noni Hoag and Janet Geisler. Middle school teacher Gene Tramm served as the event moderator.

The top 10 winners from VES will face off against the top 10 from VMS Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. The winner of the combined spelling bee will compete at the European Spelling Bee in Germany in March. The winner of that contest will represent DoDDS Europe at the national level spelling bed to be held in Washington, D.C., in May

Related Links:

Vicenza Military Community facebook page

additional photos

Vicenza Military Community website