Local schools well represented at County Bee
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Steve Edwards
The three top spellers in the 2016 Blaine County Spelling Bee pose with their trophies after the competition. Left to right, Lisa Hwang, won first place and Raynee Hasler won second, both eighth graders from Chinook. Third place went to Matthew Hofer, an eighth grader from North Harlem Colony. Hwang will represent Blaine County at the Treasure State Spelling Bee on March 19 in Billings.
About 50 fifth through eighth graders from seven elementary schools in the county gathered last week to determine the overall county spelling champion at the annual Blaine County Spelling Bee. Lisa Hwang, an 8th grader from Chinook, won top honors after nine rounds of some challenging spelling competition. Students at the final county-level competition were top spellers from their respective school's spelling contests held earlier. Schools represented were: Chinook; Harlem, Hays/Lodge Pole; North Harlem Colony; Turner; White Clay Immersion School and Zurich.
Blaine County Superintendent of Schools, Terry Brockie, welcomed the competing students, families, friends and fellow students who came to support their spellers in the final county contest. Brockie then introduced the three judges and the person who gave each spelling word. After a 'warm-up round,' which had some rather difficult words to spell, the real competition began. After each student spelled their word, those who spelled correctly sat in front row seats, those who misspelled moved to another seating area to watch the rest of the spelling bee.
With some difficult words like "xenophobic, commandeer, schnitzel, desiccate and anemone" eliminating contestants in the first round, only thirteen spellers were still in the competition (trying to think of the spellings made one thankful for 'spell check' on a computer). More spellers were eliminated in rounds two through four with only three left in the final "spell off." Three more rounds and a winner was declared.
First place went to Lisa Hwang from Chinook. Second place was Raynee Hasler, also an 8th grader from Chinook. Third place went to Matthew Hofer, an 8th grader from the North Harlem Colony school. Hwang will represent Blaine County at the Treasure State Spelling Bee set for Saturday, March 19, in Billings. Hasler will be the alternate if Hwang is unable to compete.
After the spelling bee, Lisa Hwang was asked how she prepared for the competition. She said, "I was surprised how well I did. There's no real way to practice for the spelling bee." She did say she is an avid reader and she thought that helped her familiarity with words.
Terry Brockie, after the spelling bee was completed, said, "All the students did an outstanding job of spelling. I think each school was very well represented and we have a good speller and alternate who will compete in the state spelling bee."
