11/17/2023
Spelling S-U-C-C-E-S-S at Linden
Linden Unified School District students competed on Thursday, Nov. 16, at Waterloo Middle School for a spot in the San Joaquin County Spelling Bee next month. The students were divided into two divisions, the first to compete were the fourth-through-sixth-graders for the elementary division, followed by the seventh-through-ninth-graders in the junior high division.
Hosting the bee and pronouncing the words was Waterloo Middle School Principal Shannon Roberson with the assistance of staff as the word judges. Each student had to write the word down and a judge would check for correct spelling with a two wrong word elimination. Each competing student received a ribbon, while the top two also received medals.
In the elementary division the students had to spell a variety of words that included field, enormous and plume in order to declare a first and second place winner. In the junior high division, the competitors battled for several rounds, spelling words that included mediocre, rhythm and exhilarated before the winning word of upholstery declared who would be first and who would be the runner-up to represent Linden at the county level.
Competing in the elementary division were students Camila Carranza, Aubrey Chivers, Trevor Alves, Brandon Giannecchini and Adrian Ruiz, representing both Waterloo and Glenwood Elementary. First place went to Carranza with Chivers taking runner-up. Both students are now eligible to compete at the San Joaquin County Spelling Bee on Dec. 4.
“It was fun,” Carranza said with a smile as she wore the winning medal around her neck. She said she practiced often to get ready for the competition.
Spelling in the junior high division were students Julian Rodriguez, Renee Giannecchini, Joanna Berry, Max Vang, Alicia Courtroul and Ezri Chin, representing the schools of Waterloo, Glenwood and Waverly Elementary. Taking first place was Rodriguez with Giannecchini as runner-up following a 19 word battle to declare a winner.
“It was hard,” Rodriguez said after the competition. “I was so proud of myself.” To prepare for the bee, he said he watched old movies and read the subtitles.
The winners and runners-up will now compete at the county level. The elementary division will have their spelling bee on Dec. 4, while the junior high division will compete on Dec. 6. Both spelling bees will be at 4 p.m. at the Wentworth Educational Services Center, 2707 Transworld Dr. in Stockton, and the public is welcome to attend.
If the Linden students place first or second at the county level, they will have a chance to compete in the state bee in April, which will also be at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.