Runner-up Ethan Sirmans, G.E.A.R and Spelling Bee Champion Ja'Naisha McIntosh from Okapilco Elementary School
The Colquitt County Association of Educators (CCAE) held the annual Spelling Bee for students from Colquitt County School District on Friday, January 13, 2023, at Southern Regional Technical College. School-level winners from each elementary school, G.E.A.R, and Willie J. Williams Middle School participated in the Spelling Bee. The bee went eleven rounds, with the finalist competing against each other in three rounds. The championship word was “angora,” with “forfend or forefind” being the elimination word.
Okapilco Elementary student Ja’Naisha McIntosh was named the Spelling Bee Champion. Ethan Sirmans of G.E.A.R was named the runner-up. The judges for the Bee were Stacy Jones, Lisa Lawson, and Ian Smith. Other officials were Donna Tapscott and Sterling Brantley. Brenda Arnold, an ELA teacher from Willie J. Williams, serves as the District Spelling Bee Coordinator. Mattie Lewis, the runner-up from Norman Park, led those in attendance through the Pledge of Allegiance. Each school winner and runner-up received a certificate and pin. Ma’Kayla Williams was recognized for being the school winner for Funston Elementary two years in a row.
School Winners:
Felix Ledesma, Cox Elementary
Azalea Horn, Doerun Elementary
Ma’Kayla Williams, Funston Elementary
Ethan Sirmans, GEAR Center
Jossy Taylor, Hamilton Elementary
Bailie Duke, Norman Park Elementary
Madalyn Villeda, Odom Elementary
Ja’Naisha McIntosh, Okapilco Elementary
Analia Deleon, Stringfellow Elementary
Casia Singletary, Sunset Elementary
Joseph “Ashton” Hullett, Willie J. Williams Middle
Sadie-Laurel Cato, R. B. Wright Elementary
School Runner-Ups:
Alexandria Andrade, Cox Elementary
Noah Aguilar, Doerun Elementary
Anahi Lorenzo, Funston Elementary
Taylor Hiers, GEAR Center
Eriahna Terry, Hamilton Elementary
Matti Lewis, Norman Park Elementary
Jesus Molina, Odom Elementary
Jaelyn Hall, Okapilco Elementary
Xavier Herring, Stringfellow Elementary
Zain Terrell, Sunset Elementary
Maliik Palmore, Willie J. Williams Middle
David “Alex” Weldon, R. B. Wright Elementary