Spelling successes head to state spelling bee </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:50 PM on Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Spelling successes head to state spelling bee

By McKibben Jackinsky
Staff writer

Five students are bound for Anchorage next week for the 2009 Alaska State Spelling Bee sponsored by the Anchorage Daily News. Held at the Center for the Performing Arts March 4, elementary and middle school students from around the state will face off in a chance to represent Alaska at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Kira Hamilton, 4th grade, WHES

Competing from the southern Kenai Peninsula are:

Sandra Suarez, eighth grade, Chapman School;

John Walsworth, seventh grade, Homer Middle School;

Tirzah Hardy, fifth grade, McNeil Canyon Elementary School;

Robert Delgado, seventh grade, Ninilchik School;

Kira Hamilton, fourth grade, West Homer Elementary School.

Being the top spellers in their respective schools doesn't necessarily eliminate the stress these students will feel on March 4. Nor does it make it easier for their cheering sections.

Tirzah Hardy, McNeil Canyon

"It is so stressful to see these kids from all over having to spell these really difficult words," said John Walsworth's mother, Naomi. "I think the whole audience holds their breath for each speller."

Each of the Walsworth family's four sons has been to the state spelling bee at least once. This is John's second time to be in the event.

In 2008, Aidan Coyle, a Homer Middle School student, took second place in the state bee. Out of 150 contestants, Coyle and Wasilla speller Seth Keller were the last two spellers remaining after 21 rounds. Although Coyle successfully spelled such challenging words as "epiphyte" and "gelatiginous," it was the word "loculus" that threw the competition in Keller's favor.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.

John Walsworth, Homer Middle School

Sandra Suarez, Chapman