Middle school students compete in Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee

Posted February 18, 2020 10:00 pm

Submitted by Tom Loch

Thirteen sixth- through eighth-grade students, representing seven area junior high and middle schools, competed in the 38th annual Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Arlington Heights.

The first-place finisher was Charles O'Connor of St. James Junior High School in Arlington Heights. Second-place finisher was Danielle Susanto of St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove; and third-place finisher was Alena Tharakan from South Middle School in Arlington Heights.

The Bee lasted 29 rounds, with contestants battling through words such as cajolery, larynx, aggrandizement and ineffable. It concluded when Charlie O'Connor spelled both circuitous and anticoagulant correctly to claim first place.

All three finalists have qualified to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee March 18 in Wauconda, where the top six finishers of the Regional Bee will qualify for the state tournament in April.

Schools and students participating in this year's event were:

Arlington Heights:

• Our Lady of the Wayside School: Lola Scarsi and Katie Strzyzynski

• St. James Junior High School: P.J. McLeod and Charles O'Connor

• St. Peter School: Colten Hilgers and Noah Meyer

• South Middle School: Colin Ryan and Alena Tharakan

• Thomas Middle School: Lauren Jung

Buffalo Grove:

• St. Mary School: Sarah Jenkins and Danielle Susanto

Rolling Meadows:

• St. Colette School: Zoe Bustos and Corey Huitron

The Bee was hosted by Holy Rosary Council #4483 of Arlington Heights, and co-sponsored with Our Lady of the Grove Council #13448.

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

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The 2020 Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee finalists are, bottom row: Charles O'Connor; second row, from left, Danielle Susanto and Alena Tharakan. The three middle school students will move on to regional competition. Courtesy of Tom Loch

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