Six finalists move on to regional competition

For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — On Thursday, Jan. 21, students participated in the District Spelling Bee. Peg Geegan, principal at Washington Elementary, welcomed all the parents, family members, friends, and staff who came to show their support for the student participants.

The six finalists — Simone Chaney, Josh Schaefer, Dominic Willcome, Michael Dick, Adam Potts, and Tara Bhat — will represent the School District of Marshfield at the CESA 5 Regional Spelling Bee to be held on Feb. 9 at Howe Elementary School in Wisconsin Rapids. The Regional Spelling Bee is one of four that is sponsored by CESA 5.

One winner from each regional bee will participate in the Badger State Spelling Bee on March 18. The top three winners of the state bee will advance to the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

The top two finalists, Willcome and Bhat, went 15 rounds before Bhat claimed the district championship. She correctly spelled “philosophaster” and “lymphocyte.”

The Kiwanis Club of Marshfield co-sponsored the spelling bee and provided the awards given to the finalists. Members of the Kiwanis Club who are involved with the spelling bee this year were Peg Davis, Thom Gerretsen, Jim Bartelt, and James Alexander. Kiwanis President Lori Bents will present the district trophy at the February board of education meeting.

Below is a list of the winners from their respective schools who were able to compete at the District Spelling Bee:

Grant Elementary School

Lee Elsinger

Simone Chaney

Ava Sainterme

Charlotte Johnson

Trevor Foemmel

Luke LeMoine

Dylan Folz

Garrett Willuweit

Lincoln Elementary School

Michael Dick

Makenna Johnson

Avery Hart

Kason Neinast

Madison Elementary School

Isaac Kruger

Jasmine Poeppel

John Boushon

James Bundick

Nasonville Elementary School

Adam Potts

Matt Gronski

Mason Peckham

Washington Elementary School

Julie Shaw

Dominic Willcome

Kyler Sazama

Josh Schaefer

Marshfield Middle School

Macy Perrine

Riya Bolander

Tara Bhat

Natalie Bird

Drake White-Bergey

Josh Gruen

Ben Salzwedel

Jenna Holt

Allison Geiger

Katie Sadowska