District Students Advance To Regional Spelling Bee

January 22, 2020

The 2020 Boundary County School District Spelling be was sponsored this year by Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry. Organizers assisting in the Elementary and Middle School Bees came from both the Rotary Club and the and Naples Helping Hands, in addition to several current and retired teachers from BCSD 101.

The Middle School Bee was held at the Boundary County Middle School on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, and covered grades 6-8. BCMS Librarian, Terri Dunning was in charge of organizing the students and sheets for the Bee. She did an amazing job! Thanks, Terri!

Members of Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry served as judges and coordinators of the Middle School Spelling Bee. Pictured left to right are: Dave Gray, Glenda Novinger, Kristie Campbell, Glenda Poston, Linda Alt, Wilma DeVore, and Nick Larsen.

The Elementary Spelling Bee was held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at the Springs of Living Water Free Methodist Church. Students in grades 3-5th from each of the three public schools (Naples, Valley View and Mt. Hall) as well as home school participants, came and participated despite the downpour of snow and winter weather. Ladies from the Naples Helping Hands pronounced the words for the students.

*Mrs. Linda Cromwell of Naples Helping Hands pronounced the word for this 4th-grade student as Judges Dottie Gray, Glenda Poston, and Dave Gray pay attention.*

The first-place winners of each grade from grades 4-8 earned a chance to advance to the Regional Spelling Bee which will be held in March down at North Idaho College’s main campus. Second place would become alternate participants in case the first place participant couldn’t make it, and were encouraged to attend the Regional Bee as well.

Local prizes included a $30 gift certificate to Bonners Books in downtown Bonners Ferry for first place and a $20 gift certificate for second-place. “We choose Bonners Books for the prizes each year because it’s a win-win-win for our community,” explained Kristie Campbell, President of Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry for the term 2019-20. “We get to support a local business, the kids get books to enhance their learning, and our local shops give back to our local community because we have supported them.” In addition to the first and second prizes, the School District purchased the participant awards from local grocery stores, continuing the Shop Local theme.

Congratulations to all participants who came out to each of the Spelling Bees and to each of the winners!

3rd Grade Winners: