Middle school students compete in spelling bee

Posted February 21, 2016 10:00 pm

Submitted by Tom Loch

Eighteen sixth- through eighth-grade students, representing nine area junior high and middle schools, competed in the 34th annual Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee Feb. 13 at the KC Hall in Arlington Heights.

The first-place finisher was Patrick Burns of St. Emily School in Mount Prospect, second-place finisher was Emily Seriruk of Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights and third place finisher was Spencer Sadler, also of Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights.

The Bee used 241 words and lasted 32 rounds. Throughout the Bee, spellers correctly spelled words such as pulchritude, force majeure, oubliette, freesia, anemone, and adumbrate. The Bee concluded when Patrick Burns spelled both fissure and periodical correctly to claim first place.

All three finalists have qualified to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee Feb. 27 in Glenview, where the top three finishers of the Regional Bee will qualify for the state tournament in April.

Schools and students participating in the Spelling Bee were:

Arlington Heights

Our Lady of the Wayside: Olivia Augustine, Andrew Bremmer

St. James Junior High School: Christi Hansen, Emily Madden

St. Peter School: Abigail Bertermann, Ethan Bertermann

South Middle School: Sadie Doctor, Angela Vladimirova

Thomas Middle School: Spencer Sadler, Emily Seriruk

Mount Prospect

Holmes Junior High School: Kendria Oyelele, Monique Valdepenas

St. Paul School: Colin Sand, Meg Young

St. Emily School: Patrick Burns, Gerard Peña

Rolling Meadows

St. Colette School: Daniel Fecko, Julian Rodriguez

The Bee was hosted by Holy Rosary Council No. 4483 of Arlington Heights, and co-sponsored with Mount Prospect Council No. 6481 and Our Lady of the Grove Council No. 13448.

All public and private junior high schools and middle schools serving Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Long Grove, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, and Wheeling were invited to send two representatives to participate.

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2016 Knights of Columbus Bee finalist are, seated: Patrick Burns and, standing, from, left, Spencer Sadler and Emily Seriruk. Courtesy of Tom Loch

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