No need to ‘exaggerate’ triumph of La Cañada Unified spelling bee winner
La Cañada Unified’s Governing Board room became a battleground last week as 16 students in fourth- through sixth grades competed to see who would be named the district’s top speller and have a chance to compete in the Los Angeles County Spelling Bee.
Jim Cartnal, executive director of pupil and personnel programs and services, served as spell master for the Jan. 17 contest, while LCUSD Board President Kaitzer Puglia and La Cañada High School 7/8 Principal Jarrett Gold judged student responses.
Competitors took turns spelling words of increasing difficulty until just two students — both from Paradise Canyon Elementary School — were left standing. When PCY fifth-grader Urja Parekh misspelled the word “grievous,” sixth-grader Cammie Hong moved in for a win.
She correctly spelled that word, and then went on to correctly spell “exaggerate” to take her place in the winner’s circle. Both were awarded trophies for their accomplishments.
Hong will represent La Cañada Unified School District in the 13th annual Los Angeles County Spelling Bee on March 28. Parekh will serve as the district’s backup in the countywide competition.
Twitter: @SaraCardine
