Write a commentThe Fitzhugh Park Elementary School Spelling Bee went the distance this week, completing a full 15 rounds before crowning its champion and sending two other qualifiers to the Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Final in March.
Sixth-grader Jaret Hoffman outlasted the competition to claim the title of Fitzhugh’s top speller with the word ‘grandiose” as hundreds of students, families and school staff packed the school’s cafeteria for the Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Sisters Hannah and Hailey Barbera took second and third place and will join Hoffman in the Regional Final to be held at Oswego High School on March 17. Students will then compete for a trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
“We are so proud of all of our 23 students who participated in this year’s spelling bee,” said Principal Donna Simmons. “It’s not easy to stand up in front of the whole school and try to spell any of these words and we wish Jaret, Hannah and Hailey the best of luck in the Finals.”
