Otto Shortell Students Advance in the Spelling Bee
Posted on 02/04/2020
2020 Spelling Bee

6th graders Emily Bodnar and Irene Barris have advanced to the final 35 of the Post Standard |WCNY Spelling Bee. Bodnar and Barris scored in the top 35 out of 160 students in the written portion of the qualifying exam.

 

It was the first time either had entered a spelling bee, after hearing about it at school.  They had to spell dozens of words correctly in order to get to where they are today.

 

“We wrote the words on a piece of paper and we were notified a couple of hours later. I like reading, but I just entered the spelling bee because I knew I was good at spelling. If I win, that’s cool because then I’ll get a trip to Washington D.C. My mom is proud of me,” said Emily. Her other interests include art, music and animals. Emily’s favorite books are in the fantasy genre.

 

“I was really happy when I found out I was moving forward,” said Irene.  “I’m going to study a lot harder than I did the first time. I study mostly with my dad.” Irene’s sister Rose competed in the Spelling Bee a few years ago and made it to the televised portion.  Irene also enjoys animals and she plays the saxophone. The avid reader prefers mystery books!

 

The girls have been supplied with a practice word list. The oral round for the field 35 will be held at WCNY in Syracuse on February 29. .

 

The winner of the oral round will win a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.