By Kenzie Gamlin | HCCSC Communications Intern
During the most recent school board meeting on April 10, student spelling bee winners of Huntington County Community School Corporation were invited to be recognized for displaying HCCSC‘s core value of High Expectations, High Achievement and Accountability. The members were grouped by Executive Secretary Cindy Gray and thanked and congratulated by Superintendent John Trout and Director of Elementary Education Jay Peters. Director of Secondary Education Chuck Brimbury also gave a brief summary of the recipients’ achievements.
After being verbally recognized, Trout and School Board Trustee Gary McClellan gave the individuals an official certificate in honor of their core value and took a picture with the winners to remember the moment.
Each HCCSC elementary and middle school held their annual spelling bees, pushing students to perform in front of others and show off their spelling skills. After the nerve-wracking competitions between classmates, only one student from each school could take home the title of spelling bee champion at their respective schools.
The winners of the spelling bees were Chase Sides from Andrews Elementary School, Joseph Goldhorn from Flint Springs Elementary School, Owen Pearson from Horace Mann Elementary School, Leighton Voland from Lincoln Elementary School, Nolan Zehr from Roanoke Elementary School, Charlotte Bragg from Salamonie Elementary School, Lane Canvin from Crestview Middle School and Emma Richard from Riverview Middle School. While only Pearson and Richard were able to attend to be recognized by the school board, each winner will be sent home a certificate and a congratulatory letter in honor of their achievements.
Following the first competition at the students' respective schools, the winners came together to compete against one another at the annual countywide spelling bee. After fierce competition, Richard came out victorious overall in the county.
“I was elated for Emma to achieve at both the school and county levels,” said Riverview English teacher Samuel Wright. “She spent two years as runner-up to Lynnsey Degitz, a three-peat representative for Riverview. It was only just that Emma should move right into the role as ‘Champion.’ She worked hard; she earned it. Emma is a fine all-around scholar and athlete. She represents Riverview with a great deal of grace on many fronts. She will be a shining star at Huntington North High School.”