Genoa-Kingston School District 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee
Genoa, IL. - The Genoa Lions Club invited 12 GK student finalists for the Genoa-Kingston School District Scripps Spelling Bee and dinner on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Genoa-Kingston Middle School. Students fifth through eighth grade competed within their class to become the top three students in their grades. From there, the students competed at the school district level for a chance to go to regionals.
The top two winners of this year’s Genoa-Kingston Spelling Bee were seventh grader, Kolton Robinson (first place), and fifth grader, Sally Yang (second place). After 45 minutes and over 60 rounds between the top 2 spellers, Robinson took first place by spelling the word “malignant.” The two will compete for the regional title in March at the Sycamore High School.
Mr. Uili (assistant principal at Genoa-Kingston Middle School) was the announcer. Mr. Butcher, (principal of Genoa-Kingston Middle School), Mrs. Hill (principal of Genoa Elementary School), and Mrs. Fowler, (seventh grade teacher at Genoa-Kingston Middle School and Spelling Bee Coordinator), all judged the contest. Lion Secretary Van Der Heyden helped organize the evening.
All participants this year:
5th grade – Sally Yang (second place)
5th grade – Erin Koeppen
5th grade – Javier Cortes (alternate)
6th grade – Kyle Nguyen (was not in attendance)
6th grade – Ben Marlin
6th grade – Kaelynn Williams
7th grade – Kolton Robinson (first place)
7th grade – Manuel Palestina
7th grade – Brynne Vermillion (alternate for Anthony Swenson who was unable to attend)
8th grade – Lyla McKee
8th grade – Aaron Yang
8th grade – Anthony Torres
Special thanks go to Lion Bradford for securing the McDonalds “Arch Cards” for all of the participants. Additional thanks to Lion Van Der Heyden for making the arrangements with pizza from “Italian Dreams” in Sycamore and Lion President Mike Dreska for awarding the trophies for the top two spellers.