Calgary Invitational Elementary Spelling Bee returns after hiatus

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Calgary’s annual elementary spelling bee was again in full power this weekend after a three-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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For the primary time since 2019, the Calgary Invitational Elementary Spelling Bee welcomed greater than 75 elementary college students from numerous native colleges – Catholic, constitution, unbiased and public – to the stage at Webber Academy. The 2020, 2021 and 2022 occasions have been canceled as a consequence of pandemic restrictions.

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“It has been a protracted few years,” stated Lorne Webber, chairman of the Webber Academy Basis, which hosts the occasion. “Even 2022, with among the restrictions being off when June got here, it was too late to have it deliberate.”

Webber famous the occasion — and its inner spelling bees — as an necessary developmental competitors for some college students that helped the college produce a few of its most notable alumni. This contains Canada’s most profitable Jeopardy champion, Mattea Roach, and world-class debater Summit Kawakami, who together with Barry Gu gained the British Parliamentary Debate World Championship final yr as a Grade 10 pupil.

“It set a normal of excellence for our college students to attain,” Webber stated.

Webber stated the bee exposes college students to a “aggressive spirit,” however one which could be very supportive on the identical time. He stated there are sometimes tears when the Grade 1 to six college students are kicked out of the competitors, however judges and organizers are fast to remind college students, “We’ll see you again subsequent yr.”

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“It places a smile on their face,” Webber stated.

“There are disappointments in life, and a part of life’s classes is studying how you can cope with issues that do not all the time go your approach. I believe a great lesson for teenagers to be taught is to cope with it.”

Winners break up between two divisions

Saturday’s winners had been break up between two divisions, separated by age. For grades 1-3, third grader Alexis Tucunel of Westmount Constitution College took first place, Edison College third grader Gwen Van Herk second, and Aarya Kasbekar, a third grader at Renert College third.

Within the grade 4-6 group, grade 6 Rundle Faculty pupil Zara Isabelle Tagamolila topped the rostrum, whereas Webber Academy grade 5 college students Ashna Ganeshalingam and Sara Amir took second and third respectively.

Webber Academy’s Calgary Invitational Elementary Spelling Bee started in 2012, on the behest of Neil Webber, the college’s founder, to switch the now defunct Canspell Nationwide Spelling Bee for native college students. It’s now led by Webber Academy Grade 2 trainer Geri Meisinger.

The competitors was filmed and might be broadcast on TV someday in September.

mrodriguez@postmedia.com

Twitter: @michaelrdrguez