Rochester Catholic School 8^th grader is the Southeast Minnesota Spelling Bee Champion

Twelve spellers (six from each Regional Spelling Bee) competed in the Final Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 AM at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. These twelve students were narrowed down from seventy-six (76) students from 37 districts from Southeast Minnesota who participated in the two Regional Spelling Bees on February 10, 2015, coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative. After 25 rounds and 2 hours and 15 minutes the winner was declared.

Christine Farnberg, an 8th grade student from Rochester Catholic Schools was declared the champion after correctly spelling the word Appalachian. Christine was also the champion in 2013, and the 2nd runner-up in 2014.

Christine advances to the 88th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 24 – May 29, 2015. She won an expenses paid trip (for herself and one adult) to Washington, D.C. (donated by Southeast Service Cooperative). She also received a first place trophy, Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee), 2015 United States Mint Proof Set (The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award from Scripps), a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet. 

Teresa Nowakowski, an 8th grade student from Rochester Catholic Schools, was the 1st Runner-Up. Teresa received a trophy, and Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (donated by Merriam-Webster) and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.

Shenali DeSilva, a 7th grade student from Pacelli Catholic Schools, was the 2nd Runner-Up. Shenali received a trophy, and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet. Shane DeSilva, Shenali’s brother, was the 2014 Champion.

Other students participating in the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee were:
Greta Hillesheim, 7th grade, Bethlehem Academy
Benjamin Lee, 7th grade, Byron
Brandon Rolandson, 7th grade, Byron
Zack Kromminga, 7th grade, Dover-Eyota
Jonathan Wiese, 8th grade, Northfield
Madeline Hansen, 6th grade, Pine Island
Amelia Solum, 7th grade, Spring Grove
Ryan Krumholz, 7th grade, St. Mary's Owatonna
Brynn Karstens, 8th grade, Zumbrota-Mazeppa

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

  

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 Local students advance to Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee
Two Regional Spelling Bees were held on Tuesday, February 10 at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. Seventy-six (76) students participated in the two Regional Spelling Bees. Students from 38 districts throughout southeast Minnesota advanced to compete in the Regional competitions coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.
The top twelve spellers (six from each Spelling Bee) now advance to the Final Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 24, at 9:00 AM at the Southeast Service Cooperative. The Grand Champion of the Final will advance to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. on May 24-29, 2015.

Students advancing to the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee are:
From the Regional Spelling Bee at 9:00 AM
1st place Christine Farnberg, Rochester Catholic Schools, 8th grade
2nd place Teresa Nowakowski, Rochester Catholic Schools, 8th grade
3rd place Shenali DeSilva, Pacelli Catholic Schools, 7th grade
4th place Greta Hillesheim, Bethlehem Academy, 7th grade
5th place Zack Kromminga, Dover-Eyota Public Schools, 7th grade
6th place Amelia Solum, Spring Grove Public Schools, 7th grade
Alternate 1 Kjersten Peterson, Lanesboro Public Schools, 8th grade
Alternate 2 Ethan Rollie, Kingsland Public Schools, 8th grade

From the Regional Spelling Bee at 1:00 PM
1st place Benjamin Lee, Byron Public Schools, 7th grade
2nd place Jonathan Wiese, Northfield Public Schools, 8th grade
3rd place Madeline Hansen, Pine Island Public Schools, 6th grade
4th place Brynn Karstens, Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools, 8th grade
5th place Brandon Rolandson, Byron Public Schools, 7th grade
6th place Ryan Krumholz, St. Mary’s Owatonna, 7th grade
Alternate 1 Phu Tran, Red Wing Public Schools, 7th grade
Alternate 2 Mia Ikeda, Rochester Schaeffer Academy, 7th grade

 

     

 Christine Farnberg, 1st Place Winner for AM Bee.                          

 

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