s-e-c-l-u-s-i-o-n, Chinook 7th Grader Sam Sanders Wins Blaine County Spelling Bee

20 Blaine County students grade five through eight gathered in the Chinook High School Auditorium this past Thursday to take part in the 2023 Blaine County Spelling Bee. The Spelling Bee originally set to take place a week earlier was postponed due to inclement weather. Student from Chinooks Meadowlark Elementary and Junior High along with students from Harlem Elementary, Turner and Zurich took part in the contest. Due to circumstances the four Hays/Lodge Pole students that qualified were unable to attend.

This years Spelling Bee lasted nine rounds with Chinook 7th Grader Sam Sanders successfully spelling 'seclusion' to win the contest. Chinook 6th Grader Cynnloch Gibson finished in second. All 20 spellers successfully made it through round one. The first elimination came with the first speller in round two. Seven spellers in all were eliminated in the second round. Five more saw their time come to an end in round three. Four spellers moved on to round five with Harlem 8th grader Autumn Doney and Zurich 8th grader Maddox Asbury joining Gibson and Sanders. Doney missed 'futility' and was eliminated. Asbury misspelled 'basaltic' in the following round leaving just Gibson and Sanders. Both spelled their words, 'probative' and 'osmoses' correct to move on to round eight. Sanders correctly spelled 'laconic' while Gibson missed on 'fluoride'. Sanders spelled 'seclusion' correctly in round nine to secure the win.

Sanders will now have the opportunity to compete at the Treasure State Spelling Bee in Bozeman on Saturday, March 11 at 1:00 pm at Montana State University. "I was super thrilled to win," said an excited Sanders afterword. "I really enjoy spelling, it's fun, good for literary elements. What really helps is if you do any spelling in elementary in like a sub spelling bee, I try to spell the words that the other kids get as well to try to help myself." He is confident to say the least about his chances in Bozeman, "Super stoked to be going there! I'm just a naturally good speller." When asked if he was going to win his response was simple, "I bet!"

Representing the Meadowlark Elementary were Jaxton Crowley (5th), Akaysha Kelly (5th), Cynnlock Gibson (6th). Chinook Junior High Spellers included Sanders as well as Bryce Elliot (7th) and Rangler Skoyen (8th). Representing Harlem were Jasper LaMere (7th), Autumn Doney (8th), Ryla Brown (7th), Kingston Johnson (6th), Chloe Green (7th), Buck Guerrero (5th), Caleb Stiffarm (5th), Ryan Fetter (6th), Jeremiah Brockie (7th) and Arin Healy-Paris (5th). Spelling for Turner were Holly Grabofsky (8th) and Savannah Heilig (6th). Representing Zurich were Sydney Bowles (8th) and Maddox Asbury (8th). Those qualified for Hays/Lodge Pole but unable to attend included Wisper Werk (7th), Peyton Hawley (6th), Calvin Tumelak (8th) and Sophia Speaksthunder (5th).

Blaine County Superintendent of Schools Valerie White was Director of the Blaine County Spelling Bee. The Pronouncer was Kelsey Harwood. Judges included Shandel Fouts, Sara Tempel and Trent Noel. The Recorder was Tammy Niederegger. Traffic Director was Val White and Registration, Round Keeping duties were handled by Mari Anne Skoyen.