Medicine Hat’s St. Francis Xavier School hosts annual Spelling Bee

The Grade 4 winner was so happy, there were tears of joy.

Spelling Bees provide positive opportunities for students to improve their spelling abilities, language, comprehension and communication skills.

Principal Ryan Irving said when he came to the school three years ago he knew this was a tradition he wanted to continue.

“I absolutely love just the entertainment of the whole thing and the kids getting up there really shy, most of those parents and the students can’t see it, but behind those kind of curtains, they’re quite worried,” Irving said.

“I am very proud of all those students that just go up, and even though they are worried, they’re excited as well.”

Grade 6 winner Drew Cahoon spelled, “mountaineer” to win the first spelling bee he has competed in and enjoyed the experience.

“I kind of like the competitive side of it. But it’s also just fun,” Cahoon said.

Benjamin Gill, son of CHAT News reporter Jesse Gill, was happy to win the Grade 3 competition this year after winning in Grade 2.

He won with the word, “different” this year, and was indecisive if it was a harder word than last year.

“Harder because last year I won on fabulous. Wait actually I think easier.”

Fifth grader Kaitlyn Schauerte has been part of the spelling bee for six years and enjoys being able to compete with friends, and find the words continue to get harder.

“Much more challenging,” Schauerte said.

Each student competing would write down their word announced by a teacher behind a voting style booth with other teachers checking for accuracy.

Kindergarten students writing down words for teachers to check during the Spelling Bee at St. Francis Xavier School on Friday. (Ross Lavigne/CHAT News)

Irving said it’s a great event to bring the entire school together.

“It’s good to see some of our younger students kind of witness some of our older students with some of the words,” Irving said.

“And you can always hear many of the students kind of in the audience go, oh my goodness,” he added.

“They can’t believe some of the words that are being spelt by Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6 students. So it’s great for those younger students to kind of witness that as well.”

There were also fist bumps and hugs with parents and siblings and lots of pictures and videos being taken.

“We have such a great parent community at our school,” Irving said.

“It’s great to see them all kind of show up on a day like today and just show their respect towards all the students in our school.”

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat’s St. Francis Xavier School hosts annual Spelling Bee

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