Cudworth, Leben advance to State Spelling Bee

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, twelve NR-S students in grades 5-8 stepped into the Eddy County Courthouse with the clear minds and sharp focus required to correctly spell words ranging from guava to gangrene.

These semi-finalists had been selected through a vigorous class-level competition, yielding three individuals from each grade to participate in the long standing tradition of the school spelling bee.

The bee began with a onerous written portion where students were challenged to correctly spell 50 words on paper as each was carefully pronounced and defined by long-time educator Kristi Frahm.

Few students displayed any sort of vexation or worrisome nature in this round, even amid words that may have been unfamiliar such as amethyst or recompense.

As judges worked to discern the top spellers, the participants enjoyed a light spread of refreshments.

Judges then named the six students who would remain in the running for the oral portion of the competition: Bailey Baumbach, Hallie Brown, Keaton Cudworth, Emma Duda, Maddix Leben and Tillie Swart.

These six students took turns entering the room and standing before three judges to spell a sequence of five words. Four rounds and a tie-breaker round ensued, offering up the finalists challenges such as diagnosis, excise, mirage and pochismo. As lunch time neared, students likely began to consider the meaning of their newly learned vocabulary word emaciated.

Finally they stood to be recognized for their efforts. All students received a medal for their participation. Four students were named champions for their grade and awarded a second medal: Bailey Baumbach (fifth), Tillie Swart (sixth), Keaton Cudworth (seventh), and Emma Duda (eighth).

Keaton Cudworth reigned as champion and Maddix Leben came in as runner-up. Both Cudworth and Leben will attend the North Dakota State Spelling Bee in Bismarck on Monday, March 18.