The IHMS Spelling Bee
Mitzi G. after winning the IHMS Spelling Bee for the second year in a row
 
During the second and third weeks of January, the school’s grade 4 - 8 students participated in classroom “spell-offs” to select the best spellers from each class. Fifteen finalists were selected (3 from each grade), and on Tuesday, January 26, they gathered in the school gym to compete for the honour of IHMS’s top speller. The school’s top speller also has an opportunity to advance to the CanWest CanSpell Regional Spelling Bee in March.
 
The contestants just before the Spelling Bee began
 
This is the fifth year that IHMS has participated in the CanWest CanSpell National Spelling Bee. In each of the previous 4 years, IHMS’s top speller has competed in the Winnipeg Regional Spelling Bee against some of the best spellers in Manitoba (Last year, Mitzi G. placed second). Since the Winnipeg Regional Spelling Bee has a limited number of openings available, the winners from well over a hundred participating schools throughout Manitoba have to write a spelling test on computer to be sent in for marking. Only competitors from the top 70 schools are chosen to participate.
Mitzi G. placed 2nd at last year's Regional Spelling Bee
 

        The objectives of the Spelling Bee are to:

  • Encourage students to explore and study the English language and its roots;
  • Help students to learn to spell quickly, accurately and with comprehension;
  • Promote students knowledge of proper word usage; encourage students to strive for excellence in spelling skills and other educational pursuits; and
  • Provide an opportunity for students to meet and compete with their peers in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
 
 
The winner from the Winnipeg Regional Spelling Bee will go on to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Ottawa, and a chance to go on to The Scripts National Spelling Bee in the United States.

Last year, a quarter of a million Canadian students from grades 4-8 participated in school spelling bees as part of CanWest CanSpell. The CanWest CanSpell National Spelling Bee has been held annually in Canada since 2005.

he fifteen finalists for the IHMS Spelling Bee were:

  • Grade 4:  Marysa F., Camryn H., Karnvir B.
  • Grade 5:  Breanna H., Anya S., Cassandra P.
  • Grade 6:  Meaghan H., Julian F., Lukas S.
  • Grade 7:  Claire M., Kajol G., Carter L.
  • Grade 8:  Sydney L., Dayna K., Mitzi G.
Grade 4 finalists: Marysa F., Camryn H, Karnvir B.
 
Grade 5 finalists: Breanna H., Anya S., Cassandra P.
 
Grade 6 finalists: Meaghan H., Julian F., Lukas S.
 
Grade 7 finalists: Claire M., Kajol G., Carter L.
 
Grade 8 finalists: Sydney L., Dayna K., Mitzi G.
For a few days before the competition, Mr. Maguire organized spelling bee practices in the Library to help prepare the 15 contestants for the event. Each of the finalists were also given a study guide which focused on words typical of the type used in spelling bees. The words were divided according to language of origin, along with important rules, tips, and guidelines for correct spelling. However, this was only a study guide - none of the words from the spelling bee were contained in that list.

Mrs. Walkow, the school’s Resource teacher, was chosen for her excellent diction and pronunciation to read the words to the contestants. The words used in the Spelling Bee were sent to the school in a sealed envelope and meant for her eyes only! If requested by a speller, Mrs. Walkow also had to define any given word, use it in a sentence, and give the country of origin.

Mrs. Walkow announced the words to the contestants

The two judges for the contest were:

  • Mrs. E. Halayda (grade 4 teacher) and
  • Mrs. J. Skakun (grade 7 teacher)
Mrs. Halayda and Mrs. Skakun were the judges for the contest

As contestants spelled their words, the two judges wrote down the letters and checked them against the correct spelling. They had the final say on whether the speller was correct or not. Students had a two minute time limit to complete their spelling word.

Mr. Maguire with the 2 finalists

Mr. Maguire organized the Spelling Bee and kept things running smoothly by explaining various rules as play progressed. At the end of each round, the students who were eliminated were given a certificate of participation by Mr. Picklyk.

As the contest progressed, the words became increasingly difficult and more and more students were eliminated. By the beginning of the 13th round and after an hour and fifteen minutes of play, only 2 spellers remained - Mitzi G. (grade 7) and Cassandra P. (grade 5).

In the final round, Mitzi correctly spelled her word. but Cassandra misspelled "financier". In order to win the contest, Mitzi had to correctly spell the next word as well, which she did! The winning word was “larynx”! This was the second year in a row that Mitzi won the IHMS Spelling Bee.

Spelling is an important subject for grade 4-8 students, and the Spelling Bee was a great opportunity for the students to learn new concepts and to increase their vocabulary skills. It was also a fun way of showcasing some of IHMS's best spellers.
The contestants for the IHMS Spelling Bee. Click here to view in larger format

Mitzi will now write a spelling test on computer in order to compete with all of Manitoba’s other school champions for the 70 available positions at the Manitoba Regional Spelling Bee. Good luck Mitzi!