Demorest Elementary School 5th grader Jayson Bentley (center) took top honors at Tuesday night’s Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee in Mt. Airy. School Superintendent Matthew Cooper presented awards to Bentley and the other spelling bee competitors. (PHOTO/VFL)
The second time’s the charm, at least it was for Demorest Elementary School 5th grader Jayson Bentley. Bentley took home top honors in the County Scripps Spelling Bee held at the Habersham Central High School Performing Arts Center Tuesday night. He was runner-up last year.
In what will be remembered as one of, if not the longest county spelling bees in Habersham history, Bentley bested his closest rival Adam Jones in the 41st round on the word “laceration.” Jones, a 7th grader at North Habersham Middle School, waged a formidable bid for the championship title. The other competitors were eliminated by round 17.
Words spelled correctly included “collude”, “polemic”, “udon”, “anorak”, “stagflation” and “cartouches.” No speller was eliminated until Round 4, with spellers falling to the words “habit” and “reward”.
The top spellers from Habersham County’s elementary and middle schools participated in Tuesday’s event. They each received a trophy from Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County. Bentley and Jones also were awarded cash prizes provided by Now Habersham. Bentley received a check for $100. Jones received $50.
Bentley will now represent Habersham County at the District Spelling Bee in Winder on February 27, 2016. Jones will serve as alternate. The district winner will advance to the state competition on March 18 at the Coca Cola World Studio at Zoo Atlanta.
Spelling bee organizer Robin Skelton of the Habersham Association of Educators says she’s pleased with Tuesday night’s turnout. “We had a great attendance by all schools,” Skelton says, “but Clarkesville Elementary will celebrate the large turnout from their school with an ice cream sandwich party provided by Volunteers for Literacy.”
This year’s pronouncer for the bee was Habersham Ninth Grade Academy principal Connie Franklin. Skelton and Dr. Chastity Adams of North Habersham Middle School served as judges.
The Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee is sponsored by Volunteers for Literacy and the Habersham Association of Educators and is part of the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee competition.
