On Thursday, Dec. 7, Phenix Elementary School held its annual Spelling Bee. After the homerooms held their class spelling bees, the winners from each participated in the schools’ competition. Representing first grade were Kinley Bryant and Ryan Williams, second grade spellers were Jamarius Gray and Aaron Howard, third grade contestants were Shaheerah Abdus-Salaam and William Wade, Taj Abdul-Aziz and Leeya Eubanks represented fourth grade and Dani Davis and Jenna Poskas represented their fifth grade classes.

Phenix Elementary Principal Jamie Brown welcomed everyone and introduced the judges, Cindy Carwile, Dr. Lawrence Randolph and Christine Powell. Fourth Grade Teacher and Spelling Bee Coordinator Rose Jennings introduced the contestants and pronouncer Penny Locke.

Round 13 marked the elimination round when Poskas was baffled by the word, “bicycle”. The two remaining contestants, Davis and Abdul-Aziz, battled through one hundred forty-six words and 35 rounds before Davis misspelled “affirmation”. Abdul-Aziz correctly spelled “correctional” and “vegetation” to be declared our Phenix Elementary School Spelling Bee champion.

Brown presented the winner, Abdul-Aziz, with the Spelling Bee winner’s trophy. Davis was awarded the runner-up trophy. Each of the ten contestants received certificates congratulating them for their outstanding spelling skill. A reception, sponsored by our Phenix PTO, was held immediately following the spelling bee to celebrate spellers and their parents.

Abdul-Aziz and Davis will advance to the County Spelling Bee to be held on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at Central Middle School.