TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011
Knights of Columbus Local Chapter Spelling Bee
Submitted by Ron Dexter

The annual Knights of Columbus local chapter spelling bee was held Saturday morning, February 12th at the Immaculate Conception School in Columbia. After an impressive demonstration of spelling skills, the winner was finally determined in the 15th round.

Dewey Pruitt, an 8th grader from Columbia Middle School won the contest by correctly spelling the word "hemisphere" in the 15th round.  Dewey and the 2nd and 3rd place finishers will get a chance to compete at the regional meet at a date soon to be announced.  Dewey also wins a $100 US Savings Bond for his spelling expertise.

2nd place finisher Hannah Vernier, a 7th grader from Waterloo Junior High School battled for 15 rounds, finally missing the word "mimicking."  3^rd place finisher Madelon Belaska, a 6th grader from Immaculate Conception School made it into the 15th round as well, but went out on the word "coronary."

Nine competitors made up this year's field:

Winner Dewey Pruitt, grade 8 from Columbia Middle School 2nd Place finisher Hannah Vernier, grade 7 from Waterloo Junior High School 3rd Place finisher Madelon Belaska, grade 6 from Immaculate Conception School

4th Place finisher and alternate to the regional competition is Danielle Poepper, grade 8 from Saints Peter & Paul School Lauren Schmidt, grade 7 from Immaculate Conception School Josh Foster, grade 5 from Columbia Middle School Haley Vernier, grade 7 from Waterloo Junior High School Shane Douglas, grade 6 from Saints Peter & Paul School Julianna Hollman, grade 8 from Immaculate Conception  School

I would like to thank the principals from ICS, Waterloo Junior High, Columbia Middle School and Saints Peter & Paul School for sending strong teams to our local competition, and Mike Kish and the Immaculate Conception School for hosting.  Very special thanks go to the K of C judges,  Jerry Wolkiewicz and Chris Curtis for ensuring a fair and smooth-running competition.  And of course, thanks to the spellers who impressed everyone in the room.

Photos of the competitors and top three finishers with judge Chris Curtis Knights of Columbus Council 6165