Area schools gear-up for County-wide Spelling Bee

Saco Public School held their Spelling Bee last Wednesday and after 13-rounds of spelling, Daeson Salveson, a fifth grade student, was crowned champion of the school.

"The words we did in practice during class seemed a little bit harder than the words we just spelled," Salveson said. "I got a few of those wrong, but none of these."

Salveson was one of 14 Saco students, grades five through eight, to take part in the school's contest. On the same day, but earlier, Dodson Public Schools held their spelling bee and Malta held theirs in late January (Whitewater will be holding their bee today, February 11.) All the area's school's will send five students to the Phillips County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 24 with Saco hosting. That event will start at 2 p.m. (see the bottom of this story for Malta and Dodson students who will participate at the county bee.)

Skylie Lefdahl, a fifth grader at Saco, gave Salveson all he could handle in the contest and finished second on the day. Leftahl was cruising along in the contest – which she attributed to a week's worth of practicing – but was stumped on the word "dungeon" in the final round.

"I have never had to spell it before," she said. Given a second chance to spell the word during this interview, Leftahl nailed it.

Lefdahl said that she was nervous throughout the competition – even the practice round – but all things considered, she said she felt she had a strong outing in her very first spelling bee.

"I think I did pretty good for a fifth grader," she said. "I think I might do good at the County Spelling Bee, maybe second place again. I will be more nervous though."

Salveson, who took top honors at Saco, spelled "glacier" for his final word of the day. He said that he hasn't had to spell the word except for a couple times in his life and has seen it in books a few more times than that. He said his confidence never wavered while he took center stage. As far as the county bee, Salveson said that he figures the words to spell will be harder and that he will have to practice more if he expects to have a chance at the county crown. Though he was confident, Salveson said his nerves started getting shaky when the contest came down to just Lefdahl and himself.

"When we got to the very bottom, I started to get a little nervous," he said. He added that he thought he would do well at the County Spelling Bee and that he will do his best when he heads to the county bee.

As a reward for finishing in the top five, students were rewarded with fancy trophies. Leftahl said that she would hang her trophy above her head near her bed and Salveson said he would hang his trophy where he could find space.

Also placing and receiving trophies following the Saco event were Brady Albus, Jaycee Erickson and Dylan Brown, who will all compete at the County Spelling Bee, while Dustin Ostrom and Chayten Pippin will serve as alternates.

At the Dodson Spelling Bee, Ireland Best, Sophia Hebert, Randall Werk, Andrew Walling and Shaun Ball placed one through five and will be attending the County Spelling Bee with Izzabella Messerly and Tyrese Messerly serving as alternatives.

At Malta, Kanyon Stiles was crowned champion of the school's spelling bee after 10-rounds. He will be joined at the county bee with second place finisher Trinity Henry, Porter Wright and Taylor Score (who tied for third place) and Dallan Messerly who captured fifth. Malta's alternates are Naylene Winkel and Darrow Messerly. These five students will represent Malta Elementary at the County Bee to be held in Saco on February 24.

Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all the contestants.