On November 6 and November 7, 2024, forty-eight (48) top 5th/6th grade spellers and thirty-seven (37) top 7th/8th grade spellers from local public, private and charter schools competed in the Nevada County Spelling Tournament, held at Miners Foundry Cultural Center.  The Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Office coordinated and sponsored the annual event. “Spellmaster” Christine McCormick, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services in Nevada County, volunteered her time and finesse, dictating spelling words for the team contest and conducting the individual oral spelling bee.

            Each day commenced with school teams consisting of up to five students competing for the overall best team award.  The top individual students with the highest cumulative correct score then participated in the Individual Spelling Bee. Many heartfelt congratulations to all student participants, teachers, and families.

            In the 5th and 6th grade team competition, Union Hill School earned the first-place award.

Union Hill Elementary 5-6th Grade 1st place team Teacher/Coach, Shirley Fernandez; Zoey Fowler, Elsa Gray, Neilan Luckinbill, Mason Cotney and Blake Salter
Union Hill Elementary 5-6th Grade 1st place team: Teacher/Coach, Shirley Fernandez; Zoey Fowler, Elsa Gray, Neilan Luckinbill, Mason Cotney and Blake Salter

Placing second was the Mt. St. Mary School team. Lyman Gilmore School won the third-place award. 

Photo 3 – Lyman Gilmore 7-8th Grade 1st place team: Teacher/Coach, Doug Harmon; Milo Gordon, Lyla Stidham, Isabelle Nasah, Jedi Hauser and Jasper Levinson
Photo 3 – Lyman Gilmore 7-8th Grade 1st place team: Teacher/Coach, Doug Harmon; Milo Gordon, Lyla Stidham, Isabelle Nasah, Jedi Hauser and Jasper Levinson

            In the 7th and 8th grade team competition, Lyman Gilmore School earned the first-place award.   Placing second was the Nevada City School of the Arts team.  The Yuba River Charter team won the third-place award. 

The following students participated in the Individual Spelling Bees:

5th & 6th grade Individual Spelling Bee

  • Adam Braut- Yuba River Charter School
  • Amy Themelis- Seven Hills School
  • Blake Salter- Union Hill School
  • Elsa Gray- Union Hill School
  • Gudrin Frykdahl- Yuba River Charter School
  • Isabelle Stevens- Cottage Hill/Magnolia School
  • Olivia Maggio –Mt. St. Mary School
  • Zoey Fowler- Union Hill School

7th  & 8th grade Individual Spelling Bee

  • Casey Reed- Magnolia School
  • Dalton Allen- Magnolia School
  • Gabe Stinnett-Brown- Yuba River Charter School
  • Isabelle Nasah- Lyman Gilmore School
  • Jasper Levinson- Lyman Gilmore School
  • Jedi Hauser- – Lyman Gilmore School
  • Milo Gordon- Lyman Gilmore School
  • Riley Cervenka- Nevada City School of the Arts
  • Vera Crane- Grass Valley Charter School

Olivia Maggio (5th grade) emerged as the first-place champ of the 5th and 6th grade competition with Amy Themelis (5th grade) scoring as the second-place winner. Olivia and Amy now qualify to attend the 2025 California State Elementary Spelling Bee Championship to be held April 26th in Manteca, CA. Third-place tie went to Adam Braut (6th grade) and Isabelle Stevens (6th grade). Fourth- place tie went to Blake Salter (5th grade), Gudrin Frykdahl (5th grade), and Zoey Fowler (6th grade). Fifth place was awarded to Elsa Gray (6th grade).

Grades 5-6 Individual 1st and 2nd place winners: Amy Themelis (2nd place) and Olivia Maggio (1st place)
Grades 5-6 Individual 1st and 2nd place winners: Amy Themelis (2nd place) and Olivia Maggio (1st place)
Grades 7-8 Individual 1st – 2nd place winners: Jedi Hauser (1st place) and Isabelle Nasah (2nd place)
Grades 7-8 Individual 1st – 2nd place winners: Jedi Hauser (1st place) and Isabelle Nasah (2nd place)

            Jedi Hauser (8th grade) emerged as the first-place champ of the 7th and 8th grade competition with Isabelle Nasah (7th grade) scoring as the second-place winner. Jedi and Isabelle now qualify to attend the 2025 California State Junior High Spelling Bee Championship to be held April 26th in Manteca, CA. Third place went to Dalton Allen (8th grade). Fourth-place tie went to Casey Reed (7th grade), Gabe Stinnett-Brown (7th grade), and Jasper Levinson (8th grade).