Schools
Local Kids Reach O.C. Spelling Bee S-E-M-I-F-I-N-A-L-S
They dream of reaching the National Spelling Bee finals in Washington, D.C., but there are plenty of recondite words ahead of them.
Local students with an aptitude for big words have a big week ahead of them. They're hoping to take the next step toward reaching the 49th National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Monday marks the first portion of the Orange County semifinals, which take place at the O.C. Department of Education. The second half of the semifinal round is oral, which takes place March 3.
The Orange County winner will advance to the nation's capitol and compete in what may be academia's most glaring spotlight.
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The goal for these sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students is to advance to the 49th Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
There are seven Rancho Santa Margarita-area students who have qualified for the semifinals: Alyssa Fujiwara, Ryan Wilson and Madelyn Gehrich from St. John's Episcopal School, and Anya Mansoor, Daniel Ortega, Dhilip Raman and Tami Tedesco from Las Flores Middle School.
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The spelling competition is designed to help student improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, and develop correct English usage throughout their lives.
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