Jackson County Spelling Bee set for Jan. 30

Holton Middle School will host this year’s Jackson County Spelling Bee on Saturday, Jan. 30, where 12 area students will compete for the county title.

Holton Middle School Principal Michael Kimberlin, who is one of the organizers for the event, reported that the bee will be held at 9:45 a.m. that day at the middle school’s gymnasium. 

Students who have qualified for this year’s county bee are:

Jackson Heights USD 335: Heather Mandala (fifth grade), Annie Allen (sixth grade), Amaya Marlatt (seventh grade) and Blayne Gibson (eighth grade).

Holton USD 336: Emma Bontrager (fifth grade), Amariah Allen (sixth grade), David Mosier (seventh grade) and Hope Kebert (eighth grade). 

Royal Valley USD 337: Destiny Hiddleston (fifth grade), Brett Wende (sixth grade), Laurel Lundin-Burger (seventh grade) and Dane Spoonhunter (eighth grade).

Alternate champions, who will compete if their class champion is unable to attend the competition, are: 

Jackson Heights USD 335: Gavin Barnes (fifth grade), Wyatt Bacon (sixth grade), Sarah Marshall (seventh grade) and Jerilyn Nelson (eighth grade).

Holton USD 336: Makyna Jacobsen (fifth grade), Darby Ireland (sixth grade), Douglas Davisson (seventh grade) and Keegan Purcell (eighth grade). 

Royal Valley USD 337: Gracie Filbert (fifth grade), Karlie Albright (sixth grade), Stella Rector (seventh grade) and Joe Lemke (eighth grade).

Once the event starts, students will take turns spelling words provided to them. Those who correctly spell their words will advance to the next round of competition. Those providing incorrect spellings will be eliminated.

The spelling bee will begin with a practice round in order to help the students get accustomed to the competition’s format, audience and microphones. Students may ask for spelling word definitions, alternate pronunciations and the language of origin for their words, as well as have the word used in a sentence. 

Each of the three school districts will supply a judge for the event. Sarah Newton, HMS read specialist, will serve as the pronouncer, and Kimberlin will emcee the event.

The winner of the Jackson County Spelling Bee and the runner-up will both compete at the regional bee, which has been set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Seaman High School in north Topeka. 

The winner of that event will earn an all-expense paid trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. set for May 24 – 26.  

The spelling bee is open to the public and is free of charge to attend.