Border Eco Connecting Our Community Magazine – Santa Cruz County/Nogales, Arizona | Mexico–United States
In the 23rd round, Vanya Gupta, 7th grade student from Calabasas School, won the SCVUSD Spelling Bee by successfully spelling “crochet.” Paul Acuna, 6th grade student from Coatimundi Middle School, came in second after being knocked out with “anchovy.”
SCVUSD held its annual district spelling bee at the district office yesterday. Winners and runners-up from each of the district’s elementary and middle schools competed for the district title and opportunity to represent the district at the County Bee on February 3.
Competitors included:
Diego Garayzar, Calabasas K-8 School Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Marcelo Ibarra, Calabasas K-8 School Elementary Alternate, 3rd grade
Paulina Fontes, Mountain View Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Antonia Corei-Correa, Mountain View Elementary Alternate, 5th grade
Samantha Villanes, San Cayetano Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Regina Inda, San Cayetano Elementary Alternate, 5th grade (not in attendance)
Vanya Gupta, Calabasas K8 Middle Champion, 7th grade
Airyle McIlrath, Calabasas K8 Middle School Alternate, 6th grade
Paul Dominic Acuna, Coatimundi Middle School Champion, 6th grade
Amy Mendivil Limon, Coatimundi Middle School Alternate, 8th grade
In one of the longest bees in district history, the nine competitors were slowly eliminated through a grueling 22 rounds. Words of defeat included: zodiac, prosthetic, venerable, boulevards, quandary, undulating, syncope, contraband, seersucker and anchovy.
The competition was organized by Marcy Miller, District Instructional Specialist. Pronouncers were Superintendent Verdugo and Assistant Superintendent Schadler. Judges were Rebekah Cabrera, Assistant Principal at Calabasas; Lerona Dickson, Principal at Coatimundi Middle School; and Chris Jackson, Principal at Mountain View Elementary.
“Students were so well-prepared and ready for competition,” said Miller. “It was obvious they spent much time studying impressive words while learning new vocabulary along the way. They ‘rocked’ the audience – it was amazing!”
The following students will now compete in the Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee, hosted by Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, on February 3 at the County Board of Supervisors Office:
SCVUSD Champion Gupta
Diego Garayzar, Calabasas K-8 School Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Paulina Fontes, Mountain View Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Samantha Villanes, San Cayetano Elementary Champion, 5th grade
Paul Dominic Acuna, Coatimundi Middle School Champion, 6th grade
Airyle McIlrath, Calabasas K8 Middle School Alternate, 6th grade
