District One Spelling Bee is a true ‘extravaganza’
Chloe Carter of Fannin County becomes the champion by correctly spelling “extravaganza” and “Samaritan.” She is followed by a Calhoun sixth-grader, and Rome’s contender comes in third.
Fourteen vie for the title, but one carries the day with “extravaganza” and “Samaritan.”
After twelve dreaded dings of the elimination bell, only two District One Spelling Bee contenders remained front and center in the Lakeland Auditorium at Georgia Highlands College on Saturday morning.
It took seven additional rounds between the pair of heavyweights before Chloe Carter, a seventh-grader at Fannin County Middle School, clinched the title after spelling “extravaganza” and “Samaritan” back to back on Saturday morning.
Brandon Webb, a sixth-grader at Calhoun Middle School, left Carter an opening when he faulted on “vigilante.”
A tough opening round vanquished eight of the 14 original competitors with words like “matinee,” “alfalfa” and “kahuna.” In the following rounds “wiseacre,” “pinafore” and “incorruptible” confounded the remaining hopefuls.
Kathy Truong, a sixth-grader from West Central Elementary who represented Rome City Schools, took third place and will serve as an alternate for the Georgia Association of Educators’ State Spelling Bee.
Carter’s principal at Fannin County Middle, Keith Nuckolls, couldn’t have been prouder of his student’s achievement.
“She works hard and is so well-adjusted. This just goes to show that anybody can accomplish things if
they work hard. We are so proud for her and the way she has represented our school,” he said.
Carter received a $200 voucher and a trophy commemorating her victory, while Webb took home a $100 voucher and a trophy as well.
Both move on to r One in the statew on March 17 in At will get a shot at national bee.
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