The atmosphere was buzzing at the Los Fresnos United cafeteria during the 19th Annual Los Fresnos CISD District Spelling Bee. Bethany Schroeder, a fifth grader at Palmer-Laakso Elementary School took home the title.
After six rounds, the field was narrowed down to four contestants, including Noah Gomez (LCMS), Vedaang Nampoothiri (OES), and Anirudh Roy (RVE), and Schroeder. The field of four was then narrowed to just Schroeder, who spelled “ostium” correctly before advancing to the championship word, “ficus”.
Gomez, Nampoothiri, and Roy spelled an additional two rounds. Gomez took second place, with Nampoothiri and Roy tying for third.
Bethany Schroeder now qualifies to participate in the Rio Grande Valley Regional Spelling Bee in March. Her coach is Sandra Salazar from Palmer-Laakso Elementary.
Catherine Canning, English Language Arts teacher at Los Fresnos High School, was the pronouncer. Serving as judges were Sandra Ruiz, Director of Advanced Academics for Los Fresnos CISD; Sara Tudon, Director of Curriculum for Los Fresnos CISD; and Anna Valdez, a community member.
The participants included:
- Las Yescas Elementary: Jaylyn Hernandez, Yorden Hernandez, Evelyn Miller; Alternate: Apollo Perez; Coach: Amalia Salazar
- Laureles Elementary: Luis Castillo, Ilean Hernandez, Adamaris Rendon; Alternate: Camila Vela; Coach: Flor Rodriguez-Trejo
- Lopez-Riggins Elementary: Jesus Alvarado, Ricardo Hernandez, Isaiah Juarez; Alternate: Annaly Lopez; Coach: Rebecca Villarreal
- Los Fresnos Elementary: Juliette Camack, Santiago Sanchez, Nicholas Soto; Alternate: Millie Lozoya; Coach: Monica Cano
- Olmito Elementary: Miranda Martinez, Veedang Nampoothiri, Erick Velsaquez; Alternate: Xavi Hernandez; Coach: Shirley Mariscal.
- Palmer-Laakso Elementary: Amellia Alvarez, Bethany Schroeder, Kimberly Townsend; Alternate: Clyde Galloway; Coach: Sandra A. Salazar
- Rancho Verde Elementary: Leila Ontiveros, Anirudh Roy, Sophia Santos; Alternate: Charlotte Neal; Coach: Nenia Swink and Maxine Shaffer
- Dora Romero Elementary: Gael Beltran, Lia Cortez, Natalie De La Rosa; Alternate: Jaxx Thompson; Coach: Elizabeth Johnson.
- Villareal Elementary: Anapaola Chavez, Irlanda Hayes, Dylan Kitterman; Alternate: Lydia Soto; Coach: Melissa Leal.
- Liberty Memorial Middle School: Magdalena Carvajal, MariCarmen Duque, Daniel Garcia; Alternate: Jared Perez; Coach: Elsy A. Rendon
- Los Cuates Middle School: Anahi Aza, Noah Gomez, Theresa Salinas; Coach: Amy Baker
- Resaca Middle School: Henry Flores, Kailan Lei, Kaitlin Owen; Alternate: Emily Douglas; Coach: Juana Calvillo