Solano County's 2019 Spelling Bee Champions Announced

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — Top student spellers from 48 Solano County elementary and middle schools competed this week for the title of Solano County Champion Speller. The annual spelling bee composed of fourth- through sixth-graders was held Tuesday, March 5 at the Nelson Community Center in Suisun City.

After a grueling three-and-a-half-hour competition during which more than three-dozen students were tasked with spelling words ranging from "daisy" to "rodomontade" and "panegyric," the top two spellers emerged.

Ahimsa Stathis, a fifth-grader from Vallejo City Unified School District's Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy, correctly spelled "gourmet," besting Makaiden Velando, a fourth-grader from Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District's Cordelia Hills Elementary School, who stumbled on "maudlin."

The two champions — Ahimsa took first place and Makaiden took second place — will represent Solano County at the California State Spelling Bee Championship on Saturday, May 11 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.

"Spelling Bees improve a student’s comprehension skills; strengthens listening, spelling and writing abilities while paving the way to an extensive vocabulary," said Lisette Estrella-Henderson, Solano County superintendent of schools. "Students participating in the competition gain confidence in public speaking and learn to be gracious winners, while having fun with their peers."