Students from school districts in Morrow, Umatilla and Union counties participated in the InterMountain Education Service District’s Spelling Contest on Tuesday, May 8, at Blue Mountain Community College. The IMESD sponsors the spelling contests for each county every year.
The students who competed in the county competitions had already won a spelling contest in their division at their schools. There are three divisions: Division 1 (1st-5th grades), Division 2 (6th-8th grades) and Division 3 (9th-12th grades).
At the contests, students took a 35-word written test. First through third places were selected in each of the three divisions. An awards ceremony immediately followed, with winners receiving medals. The first place winner from each division is invited to participate in the state competition, which occurs on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in Salem at the Oregon State Fair.
“IMESD is pleased to congratulate all of our spelling contest winners and would like to thank all the students who devoted time to compete this year,” said Lizette Berryessa, IMESD spelling contest coordinator.
Morrow County Winners
Division 1
1st Place: Jackson Coiner, Heppner Elementary
2nd Place: Michael McElligott, Ione Elementary
3rd Place: Dakota Seufert, Irrigon Elementary
Division 2
1st Place: Nathan Ellsworth, Heppner Elementary
2nd Place: Jozen Byers, Irrigon Elementary
3rd Place: Axel Paredes-Rosales, Windy River Elementary
Umatilla County Winners
Division 1
1st Place: Grace Welch, Washington Elementary
2nd Place: Adriel Ibarra, Stanfield Elementary
3rd Place: Eden Enkey, McNary Heights Elementary
Division 2
1st Place: Elsa Rogers, Weston Middle
2nd Place: Luis Tejeda, Clara Brownell Middle
3rd Place: Sarah House, Sunridge Middle
Division 3
1st Place: Fernando Castilla, Ukiah School
2nd Place: Sam Burcham, Pendleton Homeschool Association
