MAPS hosts district spelling bee

Monday night, Marquette Area Public Schools students are tackling the English language for the 2020 district spelling bee. More than 30 students from grades fifth through eighth squared off against one another.

The standard Scripps spelling bee rules were used for the competition. Organizers say it helps the students increase their vocabularies, learn correct English usage and encourage friendly competition.

"You know in this day and age we have so many technologies to support our spelling so this is one way for our students and for all of us really to kind of get back to the know-how of our English language," said Tesse Sayen, Curriculum Support for MAPS.

The top two spellers from each grade will move on to the regional competition. Marquette Area Public Schools will be hosting that competition as well on February 18.

The winners Monday are listed below.

8th Grade

1.) Charles Kronschnable

2.) Althea Schalow

3.) Donovan Johnson

7th Grade

1.) Carmen Bruce

2.) Seppi Camilli

3.) Ruth Tippett

6th Grade

1.) Makenna Smith

2.) Gus Hummell