The Thrill of the Annual Spelling Bee: An Inspiring Academic Competition at the Day School

One of my favorite events of the year, our annual Spelling Bee, was held on January 23 and brought together our ten finalists from Grades 4 through 8. With the excitement and anticipation that this tradition brings, students in Grades 3 through 8 filled the room to cheer on their peers and witness the impressive skills the finalists displayed.

Events like the Spelling Bee continue to foster students’ fascination with words and meaning, their perseverance, and the camaraderie within our school community. Attendees at our academic and athletic competitions see our students competing with confidence and sharp skills while also engaging respectfully with other teams and fellow competitors. I invite you to join me at future competitions to witness firsthand the remarkable skill and respectful engagement our students bring to each event. 

The competition was fierce at the Bee again this year, lasting for 30 rounds, with students showcasing their dedication, preparation, and confidence as they tackled challenging words with poise and determination. Among my favorite words this year were 'alighted,' 'muttonchops,' 'rancid,' 'rookery,' 'rugged,' 'instance,' 'unorthodox,' 'cathartic,' 'consolation,' 'Morpheus,' 'retinue,' 'chartreuse,' 'maelstrom,' and 'diaphragm.' The atmosphere was electric with encouragement and support from classmates, teachers, and families who attended to celebrate the achievements of our spellers.

We are incredibly proud of all the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm, and we extend our congratulations to Grade 7 student Charlie F. for his first-place finish with the word ‘oblocutor.’ We are proud of our contestants, including Grade 7 student Christopher A., who placed second, and Grade 6 student Clara F., who placed third. Our three finalists will go on to compete at the Intermediate “Cluster” Bee on February 6 at THEARC Theater.

Thank you to our dedicated faculty and staff for organizing another successful academic competition! Parents of children in all grades are invited to our annual Spelling Bee. I hope to see you next year!