Students from Hazel Goes Cook Elementary and Olympic View Elementary squared off in a spelling bee for grades kindergarten through sixth on March 12 in what organizers hope will lead to a districtwide competition within the Chula Vista Elementary School District in years to come. The spelling bee took place at Joseph C. Casillas Elementary School between participating students who won their respective competitions at Cook or Olympic View.
Cook Elementary School claimed four champions while Olympic View had three winners.
Sophie Alonso (fourth grade), Jaren Nafarrette (fifth grade) and Tanya Gaspar (sixth grade) each captured first place in their respective grade levels for Olympic View..
Olympic View received a total of 12 first-, second-, and third- place medals to nine for Cook.
Judges included Dr. Francisco Escobedo, district superintendent, Ken Collard, coordinator, and Jaime Tate-Symons, SELPA coordinator.
“They were delighted to see the level of expertise of the students,” said Olympic View principal Gloria McKearney.
Escobedo said he hopes to see the spelling bee continue and grow next year.
Gary Sauer, president of the Eastlake Optimist Club, was thanked for donating the medals, while Jennifer Abalos and other OPTC volunteers were also recognized for sponsoring the event.
Chula Vista Elementary School District Spelling Bee Results
Finals held March 12 at Casillas Elementary School
Kindergarten
First place: Cecilia Ymaz (Cook)
Second place: Isabela Pena (Olympic View)
Third place: Jada Lustina (Olympic View)
First Grade
First place: Ashley V. Escamilla (Cook)
Second place: Joseph Pinell (Olympic View)
Third place: Joaquin Roque (Cook)
Second Grade
First place: Michael Reyes (Cook)
Second place: Alan Walls (Cook)
Third place: Natalia Benitez (Olympic View)
Third Grade
First place: Celeste Chung (Cook)
Second place: Kristian Edraisa (Olympic View)
Third place: Zachary Navarro (Olympic View)
Fourth Grade
First place: Sophia Alonso (Olympic View)
Second place: Brisa Puerto (Cook)
Third place: Gianna Rivera (Olympic View)
Fifth Grade
First place: Jaren Nafarrete (Olympic View)
Second place: Rebecca Doyle (Olympic View)
Third place: Joshua Nelson (Cook)
Sixth Grade
First place: Tanya Gaspar (Olympic View)
Second place: David Valencia (Cook)
Third place: Jaythan Santonil (Olympic View)
For more information, visit the Chula Vista Elementary School District Web site at www.cvesd.org.
