Peoria Unified School District held its annual District Spelling Bee on Thursday, Jan. 22, where the top spellers from across the district’s elementary schools competed in front of their peers. The winner of this year’s District Spelling Bee is Grace Kary, an eighth grader from Copperwood Elementary School who won in the 13th round with the word “nautilus”.
The runners-up include:
· Ada Reese from Sunset Heights Elementary School (grade 8)
· Alexander (Alex) Hapeman from Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School (grade 8)
· Ella Sheba from Country Meadows Elementary School (grade 8)
· Penelope (Penny) Davis from Zuni Hills Elementary School (grade 8)
· Yah’El Mursalat from Marshall Ranch Elementary School (grade 6)
· Beckett Heapy from Peoria Traditional School (grade 8)
· Gavyn Walker from Vistancia Elementary School (grade 5)
“This event has become a staple in our district, allowing our elementary students to showcase their learning alongside their peers,” said Sherry Piazza, Director of Learning and Teaching. “Peoria Unified puts Student Success at the center of all that we do, and the annual District Spelling Bee is just one way our students get to demonstrate their success for our community.”
Grace will represent Peoria Unified at the Maricopa County Region 4 Spelling Bee held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Glendale Elementary School District, 7301 N. 58th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301. The Arizona Spelling Bee Finals will take place at 9:30 a.m. March 21 at the Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016. The top two spellers in the Arizona Spelling Bee Finals will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.