Vejar Elementary hosts spelling bee

About 60 Vejar Elementary students in Walnut put their spelling to the test during a Spelling Bee earlier this month. Thyroidectomy, bradycardia and gravigrade were just a few examples of words that the students had to spelled. 

Kids prepared by studying more than 100 words from an official list from Scripps National Spelling Bee. Some studied the different roots of the words - Greek, Latin, etc. Understanding how words are formed gave the spellers a boost.

The 12-round competition was sponsored by the Community Club, which provided  lapel pins and certificates.

"The kids really enjoyed it and the little ones were so cute!" said coordinator Kay Hoard, a fourth-grade teacher .

Congratulations to winner Samantha Yu, a fifth grader.   Runners up were  second grader William Widjaja, third grader Sean Song and fourth grader Eva Ma. 

Samantha will compete in the Inland Valley Regional Spelling Bee on March 7 at  Diamond Bar High School. The written and oral competition is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Diamond Bar Library. Top spellers will be invited to participate in the National Scripps Spelling Bee.

Thanks to "pronouncers" - Francie Stepp-Bolling (and husband Rick), judges - Jen DeAnda and Simone Sevilla, and crowd control/ set-up - Jim Brandenburgh and Lora Wilson.