LIMA — “Tuckahoe.” “Maleta.” “Onager.”
“Anxiety.” Wait, that’s too easy.
The Regional Spelling Bee will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at OSU-Lima.
Each of the students won spelling bees at their individual schools and have advanced to this regional bee. Spellers from 63 schools from Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Shelby counties were invited to the event. Each school is allowed to send one speller. The winner Saturday will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
The Regional Spelling Bee is presented by The Lima News, The Ohio State University at Lima and Superior Credit Union.
“The Lima News is pleased to sponsor such an event that encourages further educational opportunities for our students,” said Pam Stricker, publisher of The Lima News.
Last year’s event went nearly 3 1/2 hours until the winner was found. Last year, Shawnee Middle School’s Alotus Wei spelled “onager” to win. She is the daughter of Hueanh Nguyen and Victor Wei.
Wei was in a long spell-off with Adith Joshua George, of Holy Angels School in Sidney. The third-place finisher was Nobel Zhou, of Sidney Middle School. They are all appearing again this year.
To be eligible, students must have neither turned 15 nor passed beyond the eighth grade. There is no restriction against much younger children. Funds raised by the state lottery pay the schools’ entry fees.
Each student has a study guide provided by Scripps. At the event, each will be called forward to spell a word. A pronouncer says the word, and judges listen to hear if the child spells the word correctly.
Evan Myers Parents: Doug and Kara Myers School: Fairlawn Local Grade: 6 Homeroom Teacher: Craig Knouff Favorite Subject: Gym Hobbies: Basketball, bowling, gaming
Nobel Zhou Parents: Lan Bai and Jianyou Zhou School: Sidney Middle School Grade: 8 Homeroom Teacher: Sara Alexander Favorite Subject: Math Hobbies and interests – Violin, piano, games, reading
Austin Pleiman Parents: Matt and Nicole Pleiman School: Fort Loramie Elementary Grade: 5 Homeroom Teacher: Kelly Gephart Favorite Subject: Math Hobbies and interests – Playing basketball, baseball, football and golf, Member of Fort Loramie Livestock 4-H Club, Cub Scouts, works in school cafeteria, Flag Patrol
Elle Ochenas Parents: Jonathan and Tanya Ochenas School: New Bremen Grade: 5 Homeroom Teacher: Tess Moeller Favorite Subject: Art Hobbies and interests – Playing piano, playing Minecraft, reading, fairy gardening and drawing
Ryan Noll Parents: Mark and Michelle Noll School: Anna Elementary School Grade: 5 Homeroom Teacher: Tricia Unverferth Favorite Subject: Math Hobbies and interests – Reading books, playing on the computer, playing XBox, riding his scooter, playing with friends
Emma Michael Parents: Ted and Janay Michael School: Christian Academy Schools Grade: 8 Homeroom Teacher: Tracy Brewer Favorite Subject: History Hobbies and interests – volleyball, basketball manager, archer, school musical, and 4-H
Jonas Magoto Parents: Nathan and Lisa Magoto School: Russia Local School Grade: 6 Homeroom Teacher: Michelle Muhlenkamp Favorite Subject: Science Hobbies and interests – Building mechanisms, baseball, reading, video games and science experiments
Katelyn Kinsella Parents: Bobby and Jill Kinsella School: Botkins Grade: 5 Homeroom Teacher: Amy Landis Favorite Subject: Language/spelling Hobbies and interests – Cheer/gymnastics, 4-H showing lambs and sewing, band, piano, spending time with family and friends
Adith Joshua George Parents: George Ramayya and Glory George School: Holy Angels Catholic Grade: 6 Homeroom Teacher: Andrea Greve Favorite Subject: Science Hobbies and interests – Soccer, chess, video games
Caleb Gaier Parents: Scott and Barbara Gaier School: Anna Middle School Grade: 8 Homeroom Teacher: Gina Powell Favorite Subject: Social Studies Hobbies and interests – Playing piano, reading, singing, swimming, running
Carly Fledderjohann Parents: Kort and Jenny Fledderjohann School: New Knoxville Grade: 8 Homeroom Teacher: Josh Lisi Favorite Subject: English/science Hobbies and interests – Volleyball, basketball, writing, drawing, baking
Paige Doseck Parents: Bob and Jenni Doseck School: Botkins Junior High School Grade: 7 Homeroom Teacher: Jeremy Pleiman Favorite Subject: Math Hobbies and interests – Basketball, volleyball, piano
Regan Davidson Parents: Jeff and Jan Davidson School: Jackson Center Grade: 7 Homeroom Teacher: Susie Harris Favorite Subject: English Hobbies and interests –Volleyball, basketball, softball, writing, camping
Mariah Booher Parents: Gayette and Scott Booher School: Hardin Houston Local School Grade: 7 Homeroom Teacher: Jenni Paulus Favorite Subject: Math Hobbies and interests – gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, writing/Power of the Pen Team, playing with her dogs
