The top student spellers from across Aiken County will gather on stage Monday night at the AECOM Center for the Performing Arts with even more motivation and incentive to win the county spelling bee than normal.
For the first time, the student named Aiken County Spelling Bee Champion will automatically earn a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, to be held in February in Washington, D.C. In previous years, only regional winners advanced to the national competition.
“That’s the biggest difference this year in that we know our winner will be competing in the national spelling bee, which is very exciting,” stated Christin Sosa-Gaston, who serves as an IPS Coordinator in the department of Federal Programs and as District Spelling Bee Director for Aiken County Public Schools. “We have terrific students and spellers who will be competing on Monday and we expect it to be a great competition. We certainly want to encourage the community to come out and support these fantastic Aiken County students.”
The thirteen competitors in this year’s Aiken County Spelling bee represent students from fifth grade to eighth grade.
This year’s competitors include the following students, representing 11 different schools:
- Gwendolynn Adkins (Horse Creek Academy)
- Maria Adkinson (Paul Knox Middle School)
- Michael Bell (Kennedy Middle School)
- Tucker Bryan (Chukker Creek Elementary School)
- Cassidy Green (Kennedy Middle School)
- Rena Humes (J.D. Lever Elementary School)
- Elisabeth Huezo (New Ellenton STEAM Middle School)
- Jessica Johnson (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle School)
- Treasure King (Jackson STEM Middle School)
- Briana Nabriat (Leavelle McCampbell Middle School)
- Ellis Waters (North Augusta Middle School)
- Mykeria Williams (Leavelle McCampbell Middle School)
- Mallory Zinger (Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School)
Alternates for this year’s District spelling bee, who will compete on stage in the absence of a competitor, include the following students:
- Asia Greathouse (Aiken Elementary School)
- Allie Gardiner (North Augusta Middle School)
- Leilani Griffith (Clearwater Elementary School)
- Chance Tamir Sanders (North Aiken Elementary)
- Meagan Fortune (Busbee Corbett Elementary/Middle School)
AECOM, Savannah River Remediation, and The Aiken Standard are proud sponsors of the 2018 Aiken County Spelling Bee.
Monday’s competition at the AECOM Center for the Performing Arts will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Please see images, bio information and a short Q&A with each of our 2018 contestants below.
2018 AIKEN COUNTY SPELLING BEE – MEET THE CONTESTANTS
NAME: Gwendolynn Skye Adkins
SCHOOL: Horse Creek Academy
GRADE: Sixth
TEACHER: Melissa McKnight
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Jason Heussy and Tamra Padilla
Siblings – Abbigail and Triston
Pets – Thunder and Buddy (dogs); and Cinderella, Kit-Kat and Elizabeth (cats)
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is science because we have learned so much, especially when we made an electromagnet.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
When I am not studying, I love to color and draw.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I could have any superpower, it would be to end bullying because it should not be a habit for kids.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school has been making new friends.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
My dreams and goals include playing baseball and keeping my grades up.
NAME: Maria Adkinson
SCHOOL: Paul Knox Middle School
GRADE: Seventh
TEACHER: Heather Logan
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Gene and Rhonda Frazier
Siblings – Hannah Adkinson, Emily Adkinson, Marlee Adkinson, Caleb Frazier, Morgan Frazier, Chastin Frazier, and Trey Frazier
Pets – Miniature dachshund, Bella
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is Social Studies because I get to learn about major events in the past.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
My favorite thing to do when I am not studying is to read and watch videos.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would want to be able to have “super speed” because it would save gas and I would never be late!
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is the discipline and rules.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
When I grow up, I would like to become a History professor at Clemson University.
NAME: Michael Bell
SCHOOL: Kennedy Middle School
GRADE: Eighth
TEACHER: Kaye McNeil
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Allan and Callie Bell
Siblings – Lucas and Graysen Bell
Pets – Max, Legend, London, Gibson, Jursey, Riley, and Lyric
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject? Why?
My favorite subject is math, because I am good at it and I just enjoy it.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I love to read.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would like complete control over time. I could stop death, fix things, and do pretty much anything.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The library.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I would like to be a scientist or a mathematician or something similar.
NAME: Tucker Bryan
SCHOOL: Chukker Creek Elementary
GRADE: Fifth
TEACHER: Alecia Kinard
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Tripp and Melissa Bryan
Siblings – Younger brother, Jake Bryan
Pets – Luke, a chocolate Labrador
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject? Why?
My favorite subject is Social Studies. I like learning about South Carolina during the Revolutionary War and Civil War. I also like studying World War II and the Vietnam War.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I play sports. I play golf, baseball, basketball, and football
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I could have any superpower, it would be the ability to fly. I like to be high up in the air.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is all of the clubs and after-school programs.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I want to go to Clemson University and play golf, baseball, basketball, or football. I would also like to graduate in three years with honors.
NAME: Cassidy Green
SCHOOL: Kennedy Middle School
GRADE: Seventh
TEACHER: Heather Mays
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Michael and Shannon Green
Siblings – Tyler and Alex Green
Pets – A dog and a cat
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
Language arts is my favorite subject in school because I enjoy it and I like to read.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
When I am not studying, I like to hang out with friends or watch television.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would want to have the mind-reading ability so I could always know when someone did something wrong and I could help, but it would also just be cool.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school would probably be the teachers because they are very kind.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
My goal is to always do well in school and attend a great college.
NAME: Elisabeth Huezo
SCHOOL: New Ellenton STEAM Middle School
GRADE: Seventh
TEACHER: Amber Glessner
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Robert Huezo and Maribel Cabrera
Siblings – Jose Huezo and Gabriela Huezo
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is Algebra because it is a challenge.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I like to play video games (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe) or sleep.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would love to know everything about everything because I like to be informed.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The teachers are the best because they help us learn what we need to know in order to succeed.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I want to graduate from high school with at least a 4.0 grade point average, attend USC Aiken or Denmark Tech, and intern with SRS dealing with Cyber Security. These have been my dreams and goals since fifth grade and I plan to do everything I can to achieve them!
NAME: Rena Humes
SCHOOL: J.D. Lever Elementary
GRADE: Fifth
TEACHER: Linda Wykel
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Donald Humes and Yoon Park
Siblings – Carol, Don Jr., Marie
Pets – Robie (cat)
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
Social Studies. I like learning about history. It is cool to see what life used to be like.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I enjoy playing football, swimming, reading and playing on my ipod.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would like the power to read minds. My friends always start to say something and then they just stop talking. It would be nice to know what they were thinking.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best things about my school are my friends and lunch!
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I would like to be (sigh) a professional slime maker, the first woman president (many have said I was well suited for it), a CEO or founder of a large franchise. Lastly, I would like to be in the Army, jobwise. Another goal is to be married and have two children before I am 40 years old.
NAME: Jessica Johnson
SCHOOL: Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle School
GRADE: Sixth
TEACHER: Cayce Spire
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Jermaine and Jennifer Johnson
Siblings – Jermeyer Brannon and Jeremiah Johnson
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why? My favorite subject is ELA. For me, it is the easiest subject ever.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying? My favorite thing to do when I am not studying is listen to audiobooks.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why? My superpower would be flying so I would not have to walk a lot.
- What is the best thing about your school? The best thing about my school is that they take students’ education seriously.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future? My goals for the future are to go to Clemson University and get some kind of degree in fashion and business.
NAME: Treasure King
SCHOOL: Jackson STEM Middle School
GRADE: Eighth
TEACHER: Sharon Holloway
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Tales Choisuil and Temeca Choisuil
Pets – Dog named Lovey
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is ELA because I love to read and learn new words. I also love writing essays based on my opinion.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I like to read novels or watch the Nature Channel.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would like to be able to know everything without even thinking because then I could come up with solutions to worldwide problems.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is being able to ask teachers for help when we need it. We are also able to participate in different competitions.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
My dream for the future is to become a media specialist, and eventually a Spanish teacher at a college.
NAME: Briana Nicole Nabriat
SCHOOL: Leavelle McCampbell
GRADE: Sixth
TEACHER: Allison Lunsford
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Jovon and Candice Nabriat
Siblings – Toian
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is pre-algebra because I like manipulating numbers.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
When I am not studying, I love doing gymnastics.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
If I could have any superpower, it would be flight because then I would not need anybody to drive me.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is the lunchroom because we have booths that we can sit in if we are student of the month or a "Hero".
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I want to go to the Olympics, get a job as a doctor or someone who works with money, and go to Washington, D.C. for the National Spelling Bee.
NAME: Ellis Waters
SCHOOL: North Augusta Middle School
GRADE: Eighth
TEACHER: Laurie Frazier
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Buff and Chrissy Waters
Siblings – Bella and Raylan
Pets – Sadie and Stella (dogs)
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is history, because I learn a lot from it.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
My favorite thing to do when I am not studying is learning how and why different things work the way they do.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would have to say invisibility.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is the Cyber Patriot team.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I would like to be a computer scientist.
NAME: Mykeria D’Nasia Williams
SCHOOL: Leavelle McCampbell
GRADE: Sixth
TEACHER: Keisha Wright
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Pamela Williams
Siblings – Malik, Camden, and Miracle
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite school subject is math because I love solving problems.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
My favorite thing to do in my spare time is talk to my friends.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?
I would love to know how to fly. I imagine that it would be fun to feel weightless.
- What is the best thing about your school?
The best thing about my school is that I am surrounded by people who only want what is best for me.
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
My dream is to be a successful actor.
NAME: Mallory Ann Zinger
SCHOOL: LBC Middle School
GRADE: Eighth
TEACHER: Sally Jenkins
FAMILY MEMBERS:
Parent(s) – Andy and Libbi Zinger
Q&A
- What is your favorite school subject, and why?
My favorite subject is English, because I like to write.
- What is your favorite thing to do when you are not studying?
I like to participate in musicals and plays.
- If you could have any superpower what would it be, and why?
I would like to be able to read others' minds because I want to know how I can help others.
- What is the best thing about your school?
Mrs. Sally Jenkins, my sixth-period English teacher, is awesome!
- What are your dreams or goals for the future?
I would like to be selected to attend the Aiken Scholars' Academy, and someday be awarded with a scholarship to attend college.
2018 AIKEN COUNTY SPELLING BEE – MEET THE ALTERNATES
Asia Greathouse (Aiken Elementary School)
Allie Gardiner (North Augusta Middle School)
Leilani Griffith (Clearwater Elementary School)
Chance Tamir Sanders (North Aiken Elementary)
Meagan Fortune (Busbee Corbett Elementary/Middle School
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