Thirty-six youths from every public school district in the County, two pueblo schools, two charter schools and two private schools are set to determine who is the best young speller in Rio Arriba County.
The County’s best spellers will meet Thursday (1/15) at 7 p.m. at Northern New Mexico College’s Fine Arts Auditorium in Española for the annual County Spelling Bee.
The public is invited to this free event, which is being organized for the fourth consecutive year by the Rio Grande SUN.
“I can’t wait for this year’s competition,” SUN News Editor Kevin Bersett said. “This is the largest group of students we have had, and I hope the community can come out and support these young scholars just like they do the local basketball teams.”
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Participants should arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.
The bee is open to students grades two through eight. Participants must not turn 16 years old before June 1, 2009. Schools with 200 or more students were able send two representatives to the County bee. Schools with less than 200 students could send only one.
Whoever wins the County bee will go on to the state bee, which is scheduled to take place in March in Albuquerque.
Students can find spelling bee tips and a free, downloadable study guide for the Bee at http://www.myspellit.com. The word list will come from Merriam-Webster’s 11th Edition Dictionary and the study guide.
For more information, call SUN Assistant News Editor Sarah Welsh at 753-2126.
The following is a list of participants:
Alycia Campos was the spelling champion at Ojo Caliente Elementary. The fifth-grader enjoys reading, writing and watching scary movies. She is the daughter of Michelle Campos, of Ojo Caliente.
Larissa Cano, an eighth-grader, was the spelling champion at Chama Middle School.
Twila B. Casias was the spelling champion at McCurdy Elelementary. The sixth-grader enjoys math, sports, writing stories and collecting monkeys. She is the daughter of Ray and Ann Casias, of Chamita.
Alicia Davis was the spelling champion at Lindrith Elementary. The seventh-grader is the daughter of Justin and Rachel Davis, of Regina.
Leah DeAguero was a spelling bee champion at Española Elementary. The fourth-grader enjoys spelling, reading and playing basketball. She is the daughter of Adam DeAguero and Eva DeAguero, of Chimayó.
Erica Diaz was the spelling champion at Alcalde Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys math, spelling, cheerleading and basketball. She is the daughter of Karen Diaz and the late-Benjamin Diaz, of La Villita.
Chantell Gallegos was a spelling champion at Sombrillo Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys spelling and basketball. She is the daughter of Jerry and Wanda Gallegos, of San Pedro.
Christopher Garcia, a seventh-grader, was a spelling champion at Española Middle School.
Sierra George, a fifth-grader, was a spelling champion at Fairview Elementary.
Emily Gutierrez, a third-grader, was a spelling champion at Hernandez Elementary.
Matthew Harkleroad was the spelling champion at Mesa Vista Middle School. The seventh-grader enjoys academics, coin collecting, video games, metal detecting and playing football. He is the son of David R. and Connie Harkleroad, of Ojo Caliente.
Derek Hice was the spelling champion at Velarde Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys math, basketball, school and hunting. He is the son of Veronica Quintana, of Lyden.
Kyle Howe, a sixth-grader, was the spelling champion at Dulce Middle School.
Cheyenne Law, a seventh-grader, was the spelling champion at Tierra Amarilla Middle School.
Patricia Loera, a sixth-grader, was the spelling champion at Abiquiú Elementary.
Miguel López was the spelling champion at Los Cariños Charter School. The third-grader enjoys math, football, art and collecting rocks, marbles, money and insects. He lives in Española.
Joshua Lovato was a spelling champion at San Juan Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys camping, family Bible studies, riding his four-wheeler and electronic technology. He is the son of Jolene Gurule Trujillo and the stepson of BJ Trujillo.
Victoria Martinez was the spelling champion at Gallina Elementary. The fourth-grader is the daughter of Glen and Marcella Martinez, of Coyote.
Nicole Morfin was a spelling champion at Sombrillo Elementary. The fourth-grader enjoys science, reading and basketball. She is the daughter of Beatrice Serna and Benjie Morfin, of La Mesilla.
Mariah Moya was a spelling champion at Hernandez Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys reading, math and basketball. She is the daughter of Dion and Sharon Moya, of Chili.
Raquel Pacheco was a spelling champion at San Juan Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys reading and writing.
Alex Pangia-Ford was the spelling champion at Dixon Elementary. The fourth-grader enjoys reading, creative writing, art, drawing and working on computers. He lives in Dixon.
Micheala Pumphrey, a seventh-grader, was the spelling champion at McCurdy Middle School.
Stephen Miguel Sanchez was a spelling champion at Fairview Elementary, The sixth-grader enjoys art, science, hanging out with his friends, listening to music and learning about different cultures and language. He lives in Española.
Jonakee Stratford Reynolds was the spelling champion at El Rito Elementary. The fourth-grader enjoys math, science, reading, hiking, fishing, skiing and cooking. He lives in Servilleta Plaza.
Cesar Rodriguez was a spelling champion at Española Middle School. The eighth-grader enjoys jamming out to music and playing video games. He lives in Española.
Amada Samora, a fourth-grader, was the spelling champion at Tierra Amarilla Elementary.
Anthony Tapia was the spelling champion at Ohkay Owingeh Community School. The eighth-grader enjoys basketball. He is the son of Becky Tapia, of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.
Maria Trujillo was the spelling champion at Coronado Middle School. The seventh-grader is the daughter of Stanly and Yvonne Trujillo, of Coyote.
Delfinio Valdez was the spelling champion at Coyote Elementary. The fifth-grader is the son of Ruby and Levi Valdez, of Cañones.
Erica Angelica Vigil was the spelling champion at Chimayó Elementary. The sixth-grader enjoys mathematics, social studies, writing books and doing illustrations.
Robert Vigil was the spelling champion at Saint Francis School. The fourth-grader enjoys reading the Harry Potter series and video games. He lives in Dulce.
Darren Wanoskia was the spelling champion at Chama Elementary. The fifth-grader enjoys basketball and Cub Scouts. He is the son of Heather Davis and Joey Martinez, of Chama.
Kayleigh Warren was the spelling champion at Santa Clara Day School. The fifth-grader enjoys swimming, emailing, playing with her siblings, collecting and trading Pokemon cards, soccer, watching TV, drawing and reading. She is the daughter of Alvin and Pamela Warren, of Santa Clara Pueblo.
Lauryn WhiteBuffalo was a spelling bee champion at Española Elementary. The fourth-grader enjoys spelling, math, basketball and soccer. She is the daughter of Glen Gutierrez and Lacreda WhiteBuffalo, of Alcalde.
Nizhoni Yazzie was the spelling champion at Lybrook Elementary/Middle School. The sixth-grader is the daughter of Ned and Lupita Yazzie, of Counselor.