SIDNEY — Elementary schools in the Sidney City School District recently staged their school-wide spelling bees.
The winner and runners-up at each school will compete in the citywide spelling bee, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Sidney Middle School.
Third- and fourth-grade students from Emerson Elementary and fifth-grade students from Sidney Middle School competed Dec. 1 in a contest that lasted 11 rounds. Fourth-grader Blaze Darner, son of Robert and Ann Darner, won the bee by spelling “thicket.” Runner-up was fourth-grader Olivia Oldham, daughter of Brian and Leigh. Jaclyn Schmeising was the pronouncer. Sidney Middle School Principal Diane Voress, retired teacher Becky Hewitt, and Superintendent John Scheu were the judges.
Northwood Elementary third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders participated in a 13-round bee, Dec. 1. Third-grader Keegan Conley, son of Matt and Dana Conley, won by spelling “coronet.” Fifth-grader Rocelyn Cathcart, daughter of Mark and Darlene Cathcart, was the first runner-up; fifth-grader Kayla Rush, daughter of Yvonne Parke, was the second runner-up. Meggan Weaver, was the pronouncer. Instructional Support Specialists Jill Hanke and Lindsay Geuy and volunteer Sarah Steenrod were the judges.
Longfellow Elementary’s bee was Dec. 6. After nine rounds, fifth-grader Alexia Hamilton, daughter of Bryan Hamilton and Kasey Gregory, won by spelling “peculiar.” Fifth-grader Tayjon Kelly, son of Ayoub and Heather Samari, was the first runner-up. Kristen Gehret was the pronouncer. Sidney High School Assistant Principal Doug Zimmer, Manager of Business Operations Jerry Harmon, and volunteer Robin VanHook were the judges.
Whittier Elementary students participated in an 11-round bee, Dec. 9. It was won by third-grader Alicia Villanueva, daughter of Rogelio and Danica Villanueva, who spelled “infuriating.” Fourth-grader Tatum Werntz, daughter of TJ and Tina Werntz, was the first runner-up. Jill Hanke was the pronouncer. Principal Keith Helmlinger, Title I Instructor Annette Johnson, Instructional Support Specialist Lindsay Geuy, and Library Aide Brooke Marshall were the judges.
Sidney Middle School sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students participated in a bee, Dec. 12, which went 13 rounds. Eighth-grader Emily Birkemeier, daughter of Steven and Barbara Birkemeier, won the bee by correctly spelling “allegiance.” Seventh-grader Kayla Smith, daughter of Kenneth and Crystal Smith, was the first runner-up. Sixth-grader Alexis Hall, daughter of Zach and Casey Hall, was the second runner-up. Jill Hanke was the pronouncer. Assistant Principal Kevin Boerger, Communications Coordinator Tiffany Rank and Superintendent John Scheu were the judges.
