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Elementary winners (left to right): Maxine Nocker, Hudson Bonsignore, Anna Butler (Photo: Luis Medina/SBCEO )
Source: Santa Barbara Unified School District
Four local students have won the right to compete at the state level after coming out on top at the Santa Barbara County Spelling Bee, which was held Thursday at the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Hudson Bonsignore, a sixth grader at Cold Spring School, took first place in the elementary division by correctly spelling “bureaucracy.” Anna Butler, a sixth grader at Montecito Union School, took second place with “impersonator.” Third place went to Maxine Nocker, a sixth grader at Vieja Valley School in the Hope School District. Her winning word was “inflammable.”
In the junior high division, Victoria Chen, a seventh grader from Goleta Valley Jr. High in the Goleta Union School District, took first place by correctly spelling “acquiesced.” Second place went to Conrad Stinson, an eighth-grader from Carpinteria Middle School in the Carpinteria Unified School District. His winning word was “annihilate.” Third place was won by Aria Nafziger, an eighth-grader from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Her winning word was “emollient.” The two top winners in each division will proceed to the state level.
“We are so proud of each and every student here today,” said County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido. “It takes courage to compete publicly, and we are truly impressed with the level of engagement, preparation, and excitement around this countywide bee. We also want to express our gratitude to the many volunteers, partners, parents, and schools who participated in ways big and small.”
Special thanks go to Masonic Lodge #192, The Women’s Service Club of Goleta, and Town and Country Women’s Club for their donations.
The 2019 Elementary State Spelling Bee, for grades 4 through 6, will be held May 11 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton. The 2019 State Junior High Spelling Bee, for grades 7 through 9, will be held May 4 at Miller Creek Middle School in San Rafael.
More information is available from Rose Koller of the Santa Barbara County Education Office at (805) 964-4710, ext. 5222.
