In early January 2019, the students seated below received a list of words to commit to memory, in preparation for the National Spelling Bee. The Morrison Junior High School spelling contest was the first step to that goal. It was held a month later in the gymnasium on Monday, February 4, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Twenty-three students in grades five-through-eight were eligible; 22 competed.
A random drawing determined in what order students would spell; the number indicates their grade level: Isaiah McDearmon-6; Afton Eyrich-7; Dylan Anderson-7; Brooke Bonnell-8; Annabelle Blevins-5; Lisa Hardesty-7; Morgan Carney-8-Absent; Emily Roggy-6; Hailey Edwards-7; Jayden Kershaw-7; Jaelynn James-5; Abby Houzenga-5; Rylen Unger-8; Grace Swanson-6; Evan Khan-6; Paige Milnes-5; Annette Morris-7; Arabella Adams-7; Harper Buikema-5; Drew Pape-7; Emma Mackum-6; Jerrica Bormann-8; Emma Oldham-7.
Sarah Lams was Contest Director. Cheryl Robinson pronounced the words. Judges included Lams, Principal Joe Robbins, and Jan Scott.
Dylan Anderson, below left, took first place. He will advance to the Regional Spelling Bee at Dixon High School, Dixon, IL, on Thursday, February 21. Paige Milnes, right, took second.
Third place finisher Jayden Kershaw is shown below.
