The Deanery Spelling Bee for grades 6-8th takes place every year, and this year it occurred on a Wednesday, on the 5th of April. Since this spelling bee includes various Catholic schools from all over the diocese, a representative from each grade is picked to go to a Deanery Spelling Bee after moving on from the School Spelling Bee.

The Spelling Bee was from six o’clock to nine o’clock this year at St. Andrew Catholic School. Given the lists two days before, St. Philips representatives Mark Valenzuela and Vivian Nguyen were pressed for time, yet we did a great job! Some words on the provided spelling list included “au fait,” “a posteriori,” “ague,” “recherché,” and “outré.” The 25 contestants spelled 550 words from the National Spelling Bee competition.

I, Mark Valenzuela, placed 7th place out of 25 spellers, and I made it to some of the final rounds late into the night. I did a great job studying beforehand, and I am known for always succeeding at the Deanery spelling bee each year!

I, Vivian Nguyen, the returning champion as well, placed first and won on the words “ameliorate” and “infinitesimal.” This year, spellers had to compete in words off the list in order to win the championship.

We love the spelling bee and think that it is such a wonderful opportunity to participate annually! A huge thanks to our greatest supporter, Ms. O’Toole, the Junior High Language Arts teacher, for always coming to our events, answering our questions, and cheering us on. We have absolute faith that St. Philip will continue to succeed at these events all through the upcoming years.