March 19, 2024

Benson in the correct ‘column’ to win competition

TJ, Woodrow Wilson combine for spelling bees

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English is a tricky language with some wacky rules.

Grace Benson remembered one rule in a way that helped her win a competition. Benson, a fifth-grader, spelled the word “column” correctly — which her Woodrow Wilson Elementary School competitor had missed — then spelled “condition” correctly to win the school-wide spelling bee Thursday night.

Benson’s mastery of a silent consonant helped her triumph, and it capped off an evening of competition, games, art and fun involving Woodrow Wilson students and their families and the host school, Thomas Jefferson Elementary.

Since the Newton Community School District doesn’t have an official spelling bee, the competition, produced by faculty and the dual Jefferson-Woodrow parent-teacher organization is the largest of its kind in the city.

Many of the enthusiastic spellers from both schools showed off their impressive vocabularies by rattling off word after word correctly. Woodrow Wilson held its preliminary rounds last week, while Jefferson held its preliminary rounds Thursday before the semifinals and finals.

Kylie Thomas finished a close second to Benson in the Woodrow Wilson competition, while Alex Bassett was third. Alyssa Sidebottom and Talbot Masti and several others stayed in until the later rounds, making the top three earn their trophies.

Some of the tougher words, in terms of ones that were misspelled to eliminate spellers in later rounds, included “appreciation,” “argument,” and “anxious.” Isaac Alexander, Tristan Drake and Cade Waleska were announced as the three top finalists in the TJ spelling bee.

Alexander was initially introduced as the winner, and the first-place trophy was handed to him, but organizers later announced an error had been made, and all three were declared top-three finalists.

The two schools held a less formal spelling bee than some competitions tied to state or national qualifying and championships, such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be on live national TV later this month.

This relaxed format allowed staff and volunteers, such as moderator and NCSD board member Robyn Friedman, to offer praise and encouragement to all spellers. The event was combined with a joint family fun night that included food, games, face painting and recreational activities.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com