Pacelli Catholic School 8^th grader is the SoutheastMinnesota Spelling Bee Champion

Twelve spellers (six from each Regional Spelling Bee) competed in theFinal Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 25, at 9:00 AM at the Southeast ServiceCooperative in Rochester. These twelve students were narrowed down from Seventy-Seven (77) students from 37 districts throughoutSoutheast Minnesota who participated in the two Regional Spelling Bees onFebruary 11, 2014, coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative. After 37rounds and 3 hours and 15 minutes the winner was declared.

Shane DeSilva, an 8^thgrade student from Pacelli Catholic Schools in Austin wasdeclared the champion after correctly spelling the word polymythy. Shane is also the first male winner since 2005.

Shane advances to the 87^thannual Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 25 – May 31, 2014. He won an expensespaid trip (for himself and one adult) to Washington, D.C. (donated by SoutheastService Cooperative). He also received a first place trophy, Webster’s Third New International Dictionary(provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee), 2014 United States Mint Proof Set (The SamuelLouis Sugarman Award from Scripps), a one-year subscription to BritannicaOnline Premium and Valerie’s Spelling BeeSupplement Booklet. 

OliviaSailer, an 8^th grade student from Wabasha-Kellogg Public Schools,was the 1^st Runner-Up. Olivia received a trophy, and Merriam-WebsterCollegiate Dictionary (donated by Merriam-Webster) and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.

ChristineFarnberg, a 7^th grade student from Rochester Catholic Schools, was the2^nd Runner-Up. Christine received a trophy, and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.

Other students participating in the Southeast Minnesota Final SpellingBee were:

Miranda Cox from Mabel-Canton, 8^th grade

Shenali DeSilva from Pacelli Catholic, 6^th grade

Eleanor Hinchcliffe from Austin, 7^th grade

Emily Jacob from Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 8^th grade

Spencer Lavelle from Wabasha-Kellogg, 8^th grade

Renee Lechner from Kingsland, 7^th grade

Benjamin Lee Su from Byron, 6^th grade

Noah Mitchell from Rochester Friedell, 6^th grade

Hannah Pahs from Northfield, 8^th grade

The Spelling Bee competitions in southeast Minnesota are sponsored andcoordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.