County kids spell their way to success

February 5, 2012

By Mike Weland Publsiher A passel of county kids are reading Bonners Books tomes after demonstrating their prowess at spelling after competing in the Boundary County Spelling Bee, held January 21 at Free Methodist Church. They'll be competing at North Idaho College March 17 for the right to represent Idaho in our nation's capitol in June. Zach Dennis, Boundary County Middle School, took top honors in the eighth grade division, followed by Wyatt Bennett. Seventh grade winners were David Cossairt, first, and Amy Holman, second. Reece Bell took took top honors in the sixth grade, followed by Tyler Beezer. In the elementary school division, Ashlynn Rushing, Valley View, took top honors, and Lindsey Christoperson, Mount Hall, finished second. Katie Clairmont won the fourth grade division, Braden Hershberger, Mount Hall, took second, and in the third grade division, Lily Blackmore took first, followed by Nora Kusler. All first and second place winners were awarded gift certificates from Bonners Books; $25 for the top finishers, $15 for second place. The event, sponsored by the Bonners Ferry Rotary Club, also provided this years judges; Dave Walter, Therese Osborne and Dave Gray. The all important announcers; Amy Anderson, Linda Cromwell and Martha Jones, pronounced and defined the words. "Inaugurate." That was the word that cost me the chance to move ahead in the second round of the Junction City, Kansas, spelling bee of 1969. After I won the school event, my teacher, Mrs. Peppard, spent countless hours after class, helping me to prepare me for the next level, and I cried when I let her and my Mom, both in the audience, down, by failing to spell that second word. Amazingly, years later, I was privileged with a job at the Spokesman Review ... of 20 candidates, all but me college trained, I did best on the spelling test, and I got the job. While I'm a bit late this year, I'd like to notify the Rotary Club that next year News Bonners Ferry is going to contribure a $100 cash prize to the winner of Boundary County's Eighth Grade Spelling Bee ... $50 to the seventh grade winner, $25 to the sixth grade winner and $5 to each student who finishes in the top two. Geeks need love to. Too ... two ... whatever!