The Big Spelling Bee

In an age where technology takes care of our spelling woes, the importance of spelling has been challenged by some, but here at King’s-Edgehill, proficiency in spelling is lauded, and our students have fun with it. This was the case during Junior School assembly this week when thirteen students from Grades 6 through 9 lined up to test their spelling mettle. Indeed, it is a much greater challenge to spell on your feet than on paper, and with words that became increasingly more difficult with each successive round of competition. The numbers dropped from thirteen to seven to five and finally to the final three contestants: Ryan MacDougall ‘27, Ruari Ryan ‘29, and Emmanuel Adaramodu ‘26. 

There were tricky words like reenactment and exhilaration that eliminated the final runners-up, leaving Grade 6 student Ruari Ryan victorious, as she correctly spelled pioneered. Ruari and Ryan will go on to represent KES at the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March 2023 at Cape Breton University. We are very proud of each of our contestants and applaud their interest in and commitment to becoming better spellers.

Following assembly, the enthusiasm for spelling extended into my first period Grade 9 math class where students had fun generating math words that proved challenging for their peers to spell: algebra, hypotenuse, integer, pi, and asymptote. Spelling is important in math too!

Special thanks are extended to Mr. Rory Campbell for organizing the event, our judges Ms. Stephanie Cummings and Mr. Pat LePoidevin, and our moderator Mr. Eric Kershaw. We will continue to host our KES Junior School Spelling Bee as we know what a great way it is to develop self-esteem and confidence, and to improve vocabulary and spelling!

Congratulations to Ruari and Manny, and to all thirteen students who took part in the spelling challenge. We are proud of each of you!