The Genoa Lions Club invited 12 GK student finalists for the Genoa-Kingston School District Scripps Spelling Bee and dinner on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Genoa-Kingston Middle School. Students fifth through eighth grade competed within their class to become the top three students in their grades. From there, the students competed at the school district level for a chance to go to regionals.
The top two winners of this year’s Genoa-Kingston Spelling Bee were eighth grader, Haiven Valdez (first place), and seventh grader, Collin Bradac (second place). Valdez took first place by spelling the word “filigree.” The two will compete for the regional title in February at the Sycamore High School.
Mr. Uili (assistant principal at Genoa-Kingston Middle School) was the announcer. Mr. Butcher, (principal of Genoa-Kingston Middle School), Mrs. Hill (principal of Genoa Elementary School), and Mrs. Fowler, (seventh grade teacher at Genoa-Kingston Middle School and Spelling Bee Coordinator), all judged the contest. Lion Gene Bradford helped organize the evening.
All participants this year:
5th grade – Kenna Kuschel (third place alternate)
5th grade – Emily King
5th grade – Bennett Desbles
5th grade – Cooper Campos (alternate for Jackson Broadway who was unable to attend)
6th grade – Jackson Broadway (was not in attendance)
6th grade – Erin Koeppen
6th grade – Sally Yang
7th grade – Collin Bradac (second place)
7th grade – Kevyn Salinas
7th grade – Jackson Pacey
8th grade – Brynne Vermillion
8th grade – Haiven Valdez (first place)
8th grade – Manuel Palestina (was not in attendance)
Special thanks go to Lion Bradford for securing the McDonalds “Arch Cards” for all of the participants, providing the spellers with pizza, and awarding the trophies for the top two spellers.