HAMLET – “Hailey Maness”; proper noun: winner of the 2018 Richmond County Schools Spelling Bee.
The lights of Richmond Community College’s Cole Auditorium shined brightly on 11 of Richmond County Schools’ elementary and middle school students Wednesday for the annual districtwide spelling bee competition.
The five-round affair saw Ellerbe Middle School’s eighth grader Hailey Maness walk away, or perhaps rather spell her way, as this year’s champion by correctly spelling “talc.”
In a competition comprised of winners from RCS’ seven elementary schools and four middle schools, Maness’ bout as the 2018 champion was a quick, but harrowing experience.
“I was so nervous the entire time,” Maness said following her big win. “But when I saw my mom (April Tucker) jump up in the crowd after I won, I knew she was proud of me.
“I didn’t really even study (the word list) much,” she admitted with a wry smile.
The spelling bee was presented by RCS Director of K-12 English and Social Studies Donna Gephart, while the words were pronounced by Ruth Burgin. Representing the elementary schools were: Amisadai Carrillo Garcia (East Rockingham), Logan Emery (Fairview Heights), Amelia Young (L.J. Bell), Symone Terry (Mineral Springs), Tarsha Lindsey (Monroe Avenue), Terry Covington (Washington Street) and Gracie Scott (West Rockingham).
Maness, who is a strong reader and ELA student, was joined by her middle school counterparts Xiomara Campos (Cordova Middle), Amirah Shelton (Hamlet Middle) and Amheshia Crawford (Rockingham Middle).
All of the winners had won their respected school’s spelling be earlier in the fall, and were given the same list of words to study in preparation for Wednesday’s showdown. Before the competition, each school’s runner-up was recognized.
The opening round saw two elementary students (Emery and Young) and one middle schooler (Crawford) eliminated from competition, thinning the field by roughly a quarter. Terry and Lindsey failed to make it past the second round, and with all spellers correctly relaying their words in the third round, Maness had just herself and five of her peers separating her from glory.
In attendance rooting Maness on, aside from her mother, were Ellerbe Middle’s principal Melvin Ingram and media specialist Leiah Jarrell, and RCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Goodman.
“Hailey is thoughtful, poised and diligent,” Ingram said of his star pupil. “This same poise was on display as she spelled her way to win the spelling bee. When she won the school-level spelling bee, I knew we had a student who would represent us well in competition. This accomplishment is reflective of her hard work as a student.”
The fourth round saw the most competitors fall, as the remaining two middle school contestants (Campos, Shelton) and two of the three elementary spellers (Garcia, Scott) exited the stage.
Down to just two spellers, Maness and Symone Terry, the Ellerbe area was represented well.
Maness recited the word “decoy” correctly back to judges Nikki Covington and Ginny Sellers in the fifth round. However, Terry failed to correctly spell “cauliflower,” putting the pressure on Maness to claim the title with the championship word “talc.”
And under the hot lights, she did.
“Hailey's win represents what is possible for Ellerbe Middle School Wildcats, as well as for all students in Richmond County,” Ingram noted. “Whatever great accomplishments you aspire to in life, you can get there from ‘here’ based on your willingness to take advantage of the opportunities you are provided through education.
“Hailey will represent this principle well as she goes on to compete at the state level,” he continued. “We all will be cheering her on to success.”
Next, Maness will prepare for the state competition on Monday, February 19. The Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee will host spellers from all across the state at the Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn in Charlotte.
“I’m a little nervous,” Maness said of making it to the next round. “But I think I’ll do well at the state competition.”
Dr. Goodman also feels the same way about sending Maness to Charlotte.
“I was proud of all our spellers, but especially happy for Hailey,” Goodman said. “It was obvious to me from her first word that Hailey was prepared and poised. I know she will represent Richmond County well at the state spelling bee.”
