Spelling Bee
2011 Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee
March 22, 2011 - 6:30 p.m.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
2011 Regional Spelling Bee Winners and Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee Contestants:
Kent Co.
Margaret Anderson – St. Stephen’s School – Charles Anderson & Andrea Bernard
Karina Bursch – Kraft Meadows Middle School – John & Angela Bursch
Marcus Cusic – Crestwood Middle School – Ed & Deb Cusic
Chelsea Fisk – Byron Center West Middle School – Jerry & Judy
Fisk
Rachel Klap – Kenowa Hills Middle School – Steven Klap & Janet Klap
Lisa McKelvey – Tri-Unity Christian School – Thomas & Sharon McKelvey
Hannah Overbeek – Ada Christian School – Curt & Gwen Overbeek
Kristen Salinas – St. Thomas the Apostle School – Duane & Molly Salinas
Nicole Vandermeulen – St. Anthony of Padua School – Bruce & Tammy Vandermeulen
Christopher Walstra – Legacy Christian School – Eric & Karen Walstra
Nicholas Warren – East Grand Rapids Middle School – Aimee Schultz
Allegan Co.
Taaron Foote – Wayland Middle School – Bianca Pratt
Barry Co.
Naomi VanDien – Hastings Middle School – James & Judy VanDien
Mecosta/Osceola Cos.
Lucas Elenbaas – Morley Stanwood Middle School – Clay & Kelly Elenbaas
Muskegon Co.
Keideesha Alezea Gordon – Fruitport Middle School – George & Denise Harris
Newaygo Co.
Mason McDowell – Fremont Middle School – Kurt & Donna McDowell
Ottawa Co.
Rachel Greydanus – South Shore Christian M.S. – Holland – Jim & Mary Greydanus
Molly Quinn – South Elementary – Coopersville – Keane & Amy Quinn
Jacob Shereda – Baldwin Street Middle School – Hudsonville – John & Barb Shereda
The Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee, now in its 33rd year, is one of the largest spelling bees in the country. The winner of the Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee goes on to represent this area at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Thanks to the popularity of the Tony award-winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, along with the critically-acclaimed movie Akeelah and the Bee, spelling bees have surged in popularity causing the number of students who participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee to more than double in the last few years.
In our area, approximately 200 schools and an estimated 30,000 students participate in classroom, grade or school spelling bees each year.
As many as 400 students advance to up to 25 regional spelling bees. The winner of each Regional Bee will then compete at the Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
The Spelling Bee promotes literacy and helps students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn spelling patterns and develop correct English usage. Spellers also learn to maintain composure and think under pressure.
Spelling Bee
Thanks to our sponsors for making the Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee possible.
