Pioneers unstumped by bees

POTOMAC - Potomac School hosted their annual geography bee Jan. 23 and spelling bees Jan. 28 and 30. The bees have been part of Potomac School tradition for more than 15 years.

The geography bee is for fourth through eighth graders and is organized and administered by teacher Damian Gaglia. The fourth through eighth grade teachers hold classroom geography bees to determine who will compete in the school geography bee.

Goals surrounding the geography bee are hopes that students will be motivated to learn about the world and how it works, according to Gaglia. The material and questions were provided by the National Geographic Society.

This year first place went to seventh grander Lauren Nordberg, second place went to sixth grader Mateo Yedinak and fifth grader Levi Brown placed third. They each received a certificate, a medal and lunch for two at Cully's. They will now take an online qualifying assessment in order to qualify for the Montana Geography Bee. At the state and national levels, winners are awarded cash and scholarship prizes.

The spelling bees are broken into two categories because the upper grades are eligible for the County Spelling Bee. Teacher Ike Wallace gave the participants their words to spell and Gail Abbot, Kristina Davis, Sarah Schmill and Karry Betson judged.

Results from the fifth through eighth grade bee Jan. 28 were: first, eighth grader Ashbeigh Hall; second, eighth grader Connor Bush; third, sixth grader Hilde Hamilton.

The top three students were awarded medals. Hall will compete in the Missoula County Spelling Bee Thursday, Feb. 21 at Big Sky High School.

The kindergarten through fourth grade spelling bee was Jan. 30.

The kindergarten class went first and spelled words in an exhibition round including words like 'lot', 'rose' and 'summer.'

First grader Molly Marcella spelled 'of' and then 'come' for the win. Kimber Hanson and Jacob Castaneda were second and third, respectively.

Second grade winners were first Ivy VanGrinsven; second Nichole Heisey and third Anna Duello. VanGrinsven spelled 'flute' for the win.

Silas Brown won the third grade spelling bee by spelling "happen" correctly. Ian Willmon took second followed by Ellie Dunn in third.

Fourth grade winners were first Katrina Olson, second Iyla MacDonald and third David O'Hara. Olson spelled 'responsible' and then 'coach' for the win.

 

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