The Canutillo ISD boardroom was all abuzz with excitement and anticipation as 50 students from throughout the District vied to take the top spot in the Spanish Spelling Bee.
Native Spanish speakers competed alongside English speakers and as in previous years, spellers from kindergarten through third grade kept the momentum going by advancing round after round while conquering words well above their grade levels.
“This just shows the great effort that our students’ teachers and parents place on high academic standards and ensuring they are able to not only speak but write Spanish correctly with accents, dieresis and capital letters,” said Director of Academic Languages Services Maria Silva. “For the second time, we held Spanish grammar sessions on a Saturday to prepare students and help them understand the grammar rules in Spanish as the competition is not about memorizing the words but understanding the words and how an accent can change its meaning.”
Parents in attendance to cheer their children on, took the competition as a learning opportunity to advance their own language skills by taking notes, asking questions and practicing the words with each other.
The top winners from each grade level include first place winner from kindergarten and first grade, Erik Ang from Reyes Elementary, second place winner Zander Gonzalez from Canutillo Elementary and third place winner from Garcia Elementary Abigail Chavez.
Second and third grade winners are first place finisher Haily Guardado from Bill Childress Elementary, second place winner Sofia Valdez from Reyes Elementary and third place winner Briana Barrientos from Canutillo Elementary.
Fourth and fifth grade winners include Luciana Garcia from Reyes Elementary School, second place winner Matias Lucero from Reyes Elementary and third place winner Alan Nuñez from Canutillo Elementary.
Six through eighth grade winners include first place winner Emiliano Ortiz from Alderete Middle School, second place winner Ines Andrade from Canutillo Middle School and third place winner Santiago Ramirez from Alderete Middle School.
Fourth through eighth grade District winners will move on to compete at the regional competition which will take place on June 3.
Good luck to our regional competitors. We know you will bee the best!