It might have been a cold evening on Jan. 16, but inside the Arts Center, the competition for the Spelling Bee was on fire.
All RPSB elementary and junior high schools previously held a schoollevel competition to select the top three spellers from each group. Now, these students were gathered together to represent their schools, grade levels, classmates, and district overall.
The evening began with the rules and a practice round, followed by three real rounds of spelling.
The words this year were more advanced and challenging, but students gave it their all. By the end of round one, six students remained. By the end of round two, three students remained.
By the end of round three, the victors were offi cially announced:
• First place: Caroline Butler from Mangham Elementary.
• Second Place: Ariel Young from Delhi Middle School.
• Third Place: Jackson Hobbs from Start Elementary School.
Representing Mangham Elementary School were Caroline Butler (fifth), Killian Biggs (third), and Josey Ford (fourth).
Representing Mangham Junior High School were Karlee Moseley (seventh), Addison Nichols (seventh), and Clark Dickens (sixth).
Representing Delhi Elementary School were Stefan Blanson (fifth), Gerlilcia Harris (fifth), and Ayden Jackson (fourth).
Representing Delhi Middle School were Ariel Young (eighth), Skylarr Jackson (sixth), and Hannah Francis (eighth).
Representing Rayville Elementary School were Avery Reynolds (third), Grayson Johnston-Ponsell (fifth), and Denver Washington (fourth). Representing Rayville Junior High School were Deadrain Cook (eighth), KJ Bell (eighth), and Jakyron Butler (seventh).
Representing Holly Ridge Elementary School were Camryn Lott (fifth), Sawyer Whitstine (seventh), and Grayson Wright (sixth).
And finally, representing Start Elementary School were Giselle Walker (fourth), Jackson Hobbs (sixth), and Mackenzie Herrington (fifth [alternate for Alyssa Vollmar, eighth).
The event was sponsored by Citizens Progressive Bank and Brookshire’s, which allowed the district to purchase trophies for both finalists and the top three winners. Judges for the event were Laura Wood and Melissa Morris. Record keepers were Dana Hendrix and Angela Johnson. The pronouncer was Dr. Samuel R. Williams.
The Richland Parish School Board offers special thanks to all students who participated in the second annual Spelling Bee, which was filled with both academic talent and friendly competition. Special thanks also go out to all district literacy coaches, RPSB personnel, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who had any involvement in the event this year.
