Talented spellers competed this week for the title of Weakley County Schools Spelling Bee Champion in a sixteen-round contest held at the Board of Education in Dresden.
Martin Middle School seventh grader Matthew Klutts spelled his way to the championship trophy, and Gleason School eighth grader Jake O’Connor earned the runner up spot.
Twelve students in the competition represented spellers in grades 5-8 from Dresden, Gleason, Greenfield, Martin, and Sharon Schools.
Assistant Director of Schools Betsi Foster served as the pronouncer. The judges were Angie Rushing, Lindsey Parham, and Jon Gardner of the Central Office staff.
Klutts’ winning word was “inaudible.” Other words on the list given throughout various rounds included “squirm,” “eavesdrop,” “miraculous,” “reactionary,” “demolition,” “intertribal,” maniacal,” “counterfeit,” and “switcheroo.”
As round 4 began, eight of eleven competitors had been eliminated. For 12 more rounds, Klutts, O’Conner, and Dresden Middle School sixth-grader Connor Morefield battled it out as the final three standing. On round 14, O’Connor misspelled the word “aggravate,” and Morefield missed the word, “tiara.” After successfully spelling the word “inaudible,” Klutts was announced 2022 Weakley County Schools Spelling Bee Champion.
O’Connor and Morefield then competed to identify the contest runner-up. After Morefield misspelled the word “counterfeit,” O’Connor secured second place by correctly spelling the word “ordained.”
Students who compete are both skilled and brave according to Terri Stephenson, Elementary Supervisor of Instruction and Coordinator of the Spelling Bee.
“We are always proud of our spelling bee contestants, and I think it’s important also to recognize the courage required to stand up and compete by yourself in front of peers, family members, and educators. These students practice very hard to prepare for the competition and we applaud their hard work,” Stephenson stated.
Director of Schools Randy Frazier presented all participants with certificates and a commemorative medallion. In addition, Champion Klutts and runner up O’Connor received trophies and a monetary prize. School winners are also eligible to take a qualifying test online to advance to the Tennessee Titan Spelling Bee next year in Nashville.
Martin Middle School Principal John Lifsey is proud of this year’s champion, Matthew Klutts.
“Mr. Klutts did an outstanding job in the contest. All of the students, faculty, and staff at Martin Middle are very proud of his achievement. Moreover, he’s an excellent student and a fine young man. He has an awesome attitude, great work ethic, and the sky is the limit for him,” said Lifsey.
Director of Schools Randy Frazier said, “The Spelling Bee takes a lot of preparation and coordination. It’s a special event that we look forward to having every year. Thank you to all involved for making it another successful year of celebrating skilled spellers in our schools.”
All contestants who participated in the district bee were either winners or runners-up in spelling competitions that were held at their schools.
Participants included: Eighth graders: Rylee Cousins, Dresden Middle; Jake O’Connor, Gleason School; Marley Crews, Gleason School; Ethan Brewer, Martin Middle [unable to attend]. Seventh graders: Ellie Pitt, Greenfield School; Matthew Klutts, Martin Middle; Carolyn Leiloni Chamberlain, Sharon School. Sixth graders: Trey Walters, Sharon School; Connor Morefield, Dresden Middle; Alik Archie, Greenfield School. Fifth graders: Liam Sallee, Martin Elementary; Elijah Huff, Martin Elementary.