Bret Harte Elementary School in Burbank held their Spelling Bee Feb 7. When it was all said and done, fifth grader Aubry Hayman was named champion as she correctly spelled the word “dilemma.” for judges.
The Spelling Bee was chaired and sponsored by parents Sylvia Kelman and Julie Thomas. Thomas is also PTA president at the school. Judges for the spelling bee were 2nd grade teacher Jenny Niwa, and 3rd grade teacher Dahlia Dobbertin.
Since November, students have been practicing each week after school in the library in the Spelling Bee Club in preparations for the contest. A total of 42 students registered to be a part of the Spelling Bee Club, which is affiliated with the National Scripps Spelling Bee. A total of 28 students went on to compete in the spelling bee at Bret Harte.
Bret Harte Elementary School was the only elementary/middle school (grades K-8) in Burbank to hold a spelling bee this year. The winner from Bret Harte not only represents the school, but the City of Burbank when the competition goes to the next level.
Hayman will go on to compete in the regional spelling bee held Feb 25, at 5 p.m. at Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood. Winners from other local spelling bees will compete to see who will go on to the finals held in Washington, DC later this year.
Destiny Whitlock (5th Grade) was 2nd runner up while Andre Fabian (4th Grade) was 3rd runner up.
