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DeSoto ISD recently held its annual Spanish Spelling Bee, and the first-place winners and runner ups represented the district at Region 10’s Spanish Spelling Bee on March 20. As per Region 10's guidelines, DeSoto ISD recruited participants via the elimination round style. A Spanish spelling test was administered to Emergent Bilingual students and the top 2 students per the grade levels bands below were identified. The district winners are:
|
Student
|
Grade Level
|
Spanish Spelling Bee Placement
|
ELAR Teacher
|
School
|
|
Santiago Salinas
|
3rd
|
1st place for grade 3
|
Melissa Berrey
|
Frank Moates ES
|
|
Uriel Najera
|
3rd
|
Runner- Up for grade 3
|
Melissa Berrey
|
Frank Moates ES
|
|
Arianna Arevalos
|
5th
|
1st place for grade band 4-5
|
Catherine Chavez- Fields
|
Frank Moates ES
|
|
Aidan Martinez
|
5th
|
Runner-Up for grade band 4-5
|
Catherine Chavez- Fields
|
Frank Moates ES
|
|
Fatima Galvan
|
7th
|
1st place for grade band 6-8
|
Jantavia Carey
|
McCowan MS
|
|
Ashly Martinez
|
6th
|
Runner-Up for grade band 6-8
|
Faith Birdsong
|
McCowan MS
|
Students and families prepared for the Bee in various ways. For third grade winner, Santiago Salinas, practice at home with the spelling list for about an hour was the key. Unfortunately, Salinas became ill the day before the competition, but he was happy his friend Uriel Najera was the runner up who could take his place. Najera also practiced one hour per week prior to the competition, so he was prepared to step in. They are both excited about the opportunity to participate In the Scripps Spelling Bee next year, as well as continue to compete in the Spanish Spelling Bee.
The winner for the 4th through 5th grade band, 5th grader Ariana Avalos prepared by studying and practicing how to say them and how to spell her words. Runner up, 4th grader Aidan Martinez was excited to learn new words preparing for the Bee. “I'm not going to say all of them, but two words are: ”enfurrunarse” and “precipitacion.” He is working on a study plan that will help him win first place next year.
For the 6th through 8th grade band, the winner was 7th grader Fatima Galvan-Sanchez. Galvan-Sanchez’s preparation included coaching from her teacher at school and then independent study at home. She would advise future participants to be sure to get family and friends to help them prepare and practice at home. Runner up, 6th grader
Ashly Martinez, agreed that family support is a very important factor in participation and preparation. Martinez highly recommends more students try out for the Spanish Spelling Bee.
Though none of the students received medals from the Regional Bee, they all experienced the excitement of competition and meeting other students from around the metroplex.
For more information on the Spanish Spelling Bee or the Bilingual programs in DeSoto ISD, contact Dr. Helena Castañón-Vargas, Director for Emergent Bilingual Programs, at [email protected] or register as a district volunteer for bilingual programs at https://desotoisd.voly.org/