B-e-e spells fun for young participants
The spelling bee marked its 20th anniversary at the Trumbull County Fair.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- First-grader Leah Bitner's brow was furrowed in concentration as she searched for the correct letter at the 20th annual spelling bee at the Trumbull County Fair.
Leah, 7, who attends Bristol Elementary, was lost in thought as she attempted to spell "up."
"U," Leah said quickly, and then she concentrated for several moments as spectators at the fairground's Historical Stage leaned forward in anticipation.
Finally, a smile lighted up her face and she said "P" to applause from the crowd and congratulations from the judges.
A little while later, Angel Gordon, who attends Lincoln Elementary in Niles, quickly rattled off "c-a-r-t-o-o-n" to claim the fifth-grade trophy.
Angel, who competes in a lot of spelling bees, said she enjoys the challenge of the competition.
"It's a lot of fun because you get to learn so many new words and what they mean," she said.
Angel's mother, Deborah, cheered her on from the audience.
"I am very, very proud of her," she said, hugging her daughter tightly.
As the pupils got older, the words became more difficult.
The eighth-graders struggled with words such as "navigable" and "fictitious" before Katie Kloboves claimed the trophy for correctly spelling "smidgen."
The other winners are: Tommy Parker in the first grade, Olivia Kochunas in the second grade, Nate Butler in the third grade, John Biles in the fourth grade, Joseph Gantey in the sixth grade and Tiffany Parker in the seventh grade.
There were no competitors in the ninth grade.
The bee
The spelling bee is sponsored by the Historical Village Association of Trumbull County and the Retired Teachers Association of Trumbull County.
The spelling bee, which had about 30 participants this year, doesn't attract as many competitors as it used to, said Bessie Mae Vargo of Fowler, who co-founded the village association.
"We used to get about a hundred people," she said. "These days we don't even get half that many because kids have so many different things to do."
The fair spelling bee isn't associated with any national spelling bees, and it is only open to Trumbull County pupils, said Sue Turner, village association director.
The bee is a way for local children to share what they've learned in school, and more importantly to enjoy themselves, Turner said to the competitors.
"It isn't important whether you win or lose," she said. "It's important that you have fun."
Other exhibits
The village association is also sponsoring an exhibit by local artist James G. Friend in the gas station, and the Civil War encampment in the grove area of the Historical Village.
The village association's most popular exhibit is the penny candy counter inside the Old Bazetta Church. Children and adults can have their pick of Mary Janes, Neapolitans, Fireballs and other candy.
"We don't make any money with that exhibit," Vargo said. "We just do it because the kids enjoy it so much."
agarrett@vindy.com