On Wednesday, March 6, West Mercer Elementary School hosted its second annual competitive spelling bee. About 30 students from first through fifth grade competed for the opportunity to continue on to the King/Snohomish Regional Spelling Bee. The winner of the Regional Bee will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the end of May.

Ashley Garr, a fourth-grade student, won first place. Garr is in Mr. Baxter’s class and her love of reading has resulted in an exceptional ability to spell. She will continue on to the Regional Bee, which takes place on March 24 at 1 p.m. The Regional Bee will be televised.

Sanjna Narayan came in second place and is the alternate winner in case Garr is unable to compete at the Regional Bee. Narayan is a fifth-grader in Mrs. Bourke’s class.

West Mercer Elementary School hopes that these spelling bees will encourage the students to read and develop a love of words and spelling.