GMR Student Sierra Landsrud was one of 31 spellers from 25 schools in Region 1 & 2 who competed in the 2023 Regional Spelling Bee held at Northland Community & Technical College in Thief River Falls. Sierra placed first in the local competition in January.
All spellers competed in a written round in the morning with the top 17 spellers advancing to an oral round in the afternoon. The top four spellers who advanced to the Multi-Regional State Spelling Bee in Fergus Falls included Ivy Blumenshein, Bemidji; Maximus Katsoulis, Blackduck, Nickolas Bergman, W/A/O; and Jaden Go, Sacred Heart.
Additional district winning spellers competing in the Regional Spelling Bee included: Adalyn Cockerill, Ada-Borup SD#2854; Katelyn Gust, Badger SD#676; Ivy Blumenshein, Bemidji SD#31; Wyatt Tverstol, Bemidji SD#31; Lael Sanford, Bemidji SD#31; Saskia Bijnagte, Bemidji SD#31; Maximus Katsoulis, Blackduck SD#32; Elias Haugan, Clearbrook/Gonvick SD 2311; Melody Ortiz, Crookston SD#593; Sierra Landsrud, G/MR SD#2683; Caleb Kiviaho, Goodridge SD#561, Krystal Neuschwander, Grygla SD#447; Kellen Johnson, Lancaster SD#356; Griffen Fish, LOW SD#390; Brandon Miller, Mahnomen SD#432; Ava Barrett, MCC SD#441; Ramsey Ellingworth, NCE SD#2215; Danika Jenson, Park Rapids SD#309; Ryan Cook, Park Rapids SD#309; Brielle Reinbold, RLCC SD#2906; Delaynna Mortvedt, Roseau SD#682; Rylee Hagen, Roseau SD#682; Warner Danielson, SAC SD#2856; Jaden Go, Sacred Heart School; Aidan Smith, S. Koochiching Rainy River/ Indus SD#363; Alex Fraik, St. Philip’s School; Quinn Hetherington, Thief River Falls SD#564; Blair Leeper, Thief River Falls SD#564; Elijah Sollund, Tri-County SD#2358; Nickolas Bergman, W/A/O SD#2176; Megan McGlynn, Win-E-Mac SD#2609.
The Spelling Bee is a series of competitions for students in grades 5-8 beginning at the classroom level and progressing on to district, region, state and national levels. Benefits for students include improved spelling, increased vocabulary, learning concepts, developing correct English usage, developing poise in public performance and community recognition for participation.
