F-U-N, Parenting OC’s Annual Spelling Bee Recap
On May 7, Parenting OC’s Annual Spelling Bee kicked off at Fairmont Private Schools’ Anaheim Hills Campus in an interactive chat with award-winning author, Debra Garfinkle, who served as Spelling Bee judge. Garfinkle spoke about her journey as an author, and how she was told “no” several times before she was able to publish her books, encouraging the spellers to never give up.
The fierce competition involved 58 elementary students from throughout Orange County. After 12 rounds, six spellers remained. The word list had been exhausted. Much to the surprise of the entrants, the spelling bee panel decided it was time to move on to an unpublished list of surprise words. After the 15th round, fourth graders Sophia Chen from Turtle Rock Elementary in Irvine and Joy Lee from Lee Elementary in Los Alamitos faced off. Joy took the title, spelling “perforate” and “saunter” correctly. On top of winning a trophy and bragging rights, Joy received a family membership to the Discovery Cube, a week of summer camp to Camp James, and a family four-pack to the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Despite some D-I-S-A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T, disappointment…all 58 spellers left with consolation goodies, including the signed copy of Zeke Meeks books from Debra Garfinkle, a t-shirt and four tickets to the Santa Ana Zoo.
Parenting OC’s Spelling Bee 2016
Attention parents and teachers! Nominate the best speller from your class to represent your school at this countywide competition!
Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10:00am – 1:00pm
Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills Campus5310 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807
Register Before May 5, 2016
Register Online
Printable Mailing Form
Download the Spelling Bee rules
Word list
Spelling Bee Resources for Students
How to Study for a Spelling Bee
- Third through fifth grade applicants accepted
- Three spellers per school maximum
- Prize awarded to the winner
- Space is limited. Entries accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
- Mailed in forms must arrive at Parenting OC’s office in Anaheim no later than Friday, April 29th
ANAHEIM HILLS, CA (April 12, 2016) – Parenting OC magazine is kicking off May with the 9th annual Parenting OC Spelling Bee. Partnering with Fairmont Private Schools Anaheim Hills campus, this competition will take place on Saturday, May 7 from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Third through fifth grade applicants will be accepted for this year’s bee.
The winner of the bee will receive a trophy, along with a free week of camp to Camp James at Newport Dunes, an annual family membership to the Discovery Cube Science Center, 4 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival VIP ride tickets (good for 6 free rides each), and 4 tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific!
Randall Tierney, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief at Parenting OC, will serve as the pronouncer on the Bee panel. Debra Garfinkle, Author and Parenting OC Writer, will also be a judge on the panel, and Lina Yee, Marketing and Event Coordinator at Parenting OC, will be the word list coordinator.
In last year’s Spelling Bee, the competition ended in a three-way tie after going 45 rounds and exhausting the word list. The winners were Akia Allan of K Anthony School, Nathaniel Kang of Grace Classical Academy and Natalie Williams of Golden Elementary School.
For more information, call 714-630-4510 x6, or email lina@parentingoc.com
The Bee Panel
Pronouncer/Judge
Randy Tierney
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Judge
Debra Garfinkle
Author, Parenting OC Writer
Word List Coordinator
Lina Yee
Marketing and Event Coordinator
Prizes Supplied By
Last Year’s Winners
In a first for the annual 5th Grade Spelling Bee, the competition ended in a three-way tie after going 45 rounds and exhausting the word list. Trophies go to Akia Allan of K Anthony School, Nathaniel Kang of Grace Classical Academy and Natalie Williams of Golden Elementary School.
Yana Samarasena says
Hello, I’m wondering if first graders can also participate in the spelling bee. Thank you.
Kevin Yoshimasu says
Hello Yana,
I do not believe we allow first graders to participate, but you could email our editor, Sascha, at Sascha@parentingoc.com for more information. We most likely do not allow children under the third grade to enter, mainly because it would not be very fair for them because the Spelling Bee is at a 5th grade spelling level, and we allow kids from 3rd grade to 5th grade to enter, but those who enter in the 3rd or 4th grade may be at a disadvantage because the words do not get scaled down at all for any of the younger children. I hope that helps clarify things!
Remmaa says
Hi ,
When will you be holding 2017 Spelling Bee ?
Thanks
Kevin Yoshimasu says
Hello Remmaa,
Unfortunately we are still working hard to work out the logistics to hold a Spelling Bee this year. Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out as soon as we have more information, or check back in on our website periodically!
Heather Riley says
Would you consider having a Spanish spelling bee opportunity for dual-immersion students from Santa Ana to participate?? We would love to be a part of that –
mom of a 4th grade student
Maria Barcelo says
I was wondering when the 2017 Parenting OC Spelling Bee will take place. Please contact me and let me know.
Thanks,
Maria Barcelo
Kevin Yoshimasu says
Hello Maria,
I apologize for not seeing your comment until now, but my coworker, Ricklyn, will be reaching out to you. Unfortunately we are still in the planning phase for our Spelling Bee event, so we don’t any new information yet. I apologize for the wait.