More McFall kids shine in the spelling spotlight

Judges say children are spelling better.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- The McFall family loves to spell.
Patty McFall gives her four school-age children lists to study. There are occasional impromptu spelling bees, with a 50-cent grand prize. And big shoes to fill. Big sister Megan, now 18, traveled to the national spelling bee twice after winning The Vindicator's bee regionally.
Thursday, at the Trumbull County Fair, the McFall children fulfilled their destiny by competing, as they do every year, in the Historical Village Association Spelling Bee.
Rachel, 7, and Elizabeth, 12, each took first in their grade levels. Mike, 14, and Joshua, 9, didn't fare so well. Rachel reached the winner's circle on leg, while Mike stumbled on suppose.
"I guess the girls won this time," said Bob, their father, who videotaped the competition from a front-row bench.
The judging
The school-age spellers were judged by a panel of retired teachers from the Trumbull County Retired Teachers Association.
"I think they did very well," said Frances Latell, with a retired teacher's grace and restraint.
Over the years, the spelling and vocabulary of pupils has improved, the teachers said.
"I think children are much smarter," said Charlotte Jessep, who retired from teaching first grade in Champion in 1995. "They are exposed to more than they used to be."
Spelling bee winners were Rachel McFall, first grade; Brian Kirkpatrick, second grade; Christian Miller, third grade; Rachel Morrell, fourth grade; Kyle Kirkpatrick, fifth grade; Elizabeth McFall, sixth grade; Ian Lengel, seventh grade; Stephanie Woomer, eighth grade; and Mary Jo Kachurik, ninth grade.
All four McFall children will all be back next year, Patty McFall said.
"We just have a love of spelling."