The champ is here AGAIN

When it comes to spelling, Granite Falls Middle School eighth grader Anna White proved she is the queen bee.

For the third consecutive year, White has won the Caldwell County Spelling Bee and said she is looking forward to competing at the regional level.

Without missing a beat, White correctly spelled “imperative” and “protagonist,” sealing her reign as the county champion during Tuesday's competition at the Education Center.

“She is very confident in everything she does,” Granite Falls Middle School Principal Brian Suddreth said. “She channels that nervousness into adrenaline.”

As the winner, White was awarded a trophy and $100. She also will compete in Winston-Salem at the regional competition Sunday, March 30.

“We are so proud of (Anna),” Suddreth said. “To win this (competition) for the third year in a row is a big accomplishment. There were some fantastic kids that represented their schools this year. Anna is a model kid in her behavior, attendance and in her grades She put us on the map, and we're proud of it.”

White said her love of reading helps her to continuously learn to spell new words.

“I read a lot,” White said. “As I'm going through, I highlight the words I don't know and study them.”

The second-place finisher was Oak Hill Elementary School seventh grader Brad Roberts, and placing third was Collettsville Elementary School seventh grader and returning contestant Jared Greene.

Second- and third-place winners each received a trophy and cash rewards of $50 and $35.

To be eligible for the County Spelling Bee, each of the eight contestants won competitions at their local schools. Contestants included White, Roberts, Greene; Alexis Brogden, of Gamewell Middle; Erin Hack of Happy Valley Elementary; Sara Collins of Hudson Middle; Brian Short of Kings Creek and Adina Jan of William Lenoir Middle School.

“You all have already proven yourselves to be great spellers,” Caldwell County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Stone.

The competition was sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Lenoir, and all participants will receive a $10 reward for their efforts.

Spelling Bee judges Kathy Lyday, Cathy Rhuberg and Pat Triplett said this year's competition was more challenging than in previous years.

“The words this year were more difficult,” Triplett said. “This is the longest I've seen it go.”

Rhuberg said although it is a difficult task to inform students when they misspell a word, she looks forward to seeing the contestants improve from year to year.

“We had two students returning this year and some sixth graders,” Rhuberg said. “We hope to see them and others again. It's great to see how they progress.”

The first year White competed in the regional competition, she tied for sixth. Last year she placed fifth.

White said for now she will continue to prepare for the regional competition and hopes her hard work will help her come out on top.

“I'm going to keep studying,” White said. “This year, maybe I'll win!”

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