Middle school winners standing with Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson are Gwen Sabio and Alyssa Wong. Photo courtesy of Solano County Office of Education

SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Eighty-nine students from 42 schools participated in the 49th annual Solano County Spelling Bee’s preliminary round March 1 at Solano Community College.

The Top Two spellers from each participating school were invited to attend. The spelling bee was open to all public and private schools serving fourth- through sixth-graders. The Top Two spellers are advancing to the state spelling bee in San Joaquin County on April 26.

First-place went to Sadia Hennous, a sixth-grader from Virtual Academy of Fairfield-Suisun, Fairfield-Suisun School District. Second-place went to Kayla Wu, a sixth-grader from Green Valley Middle School, Fairfield-Suisun School District.

This year, Solano County Office of Education hosted the first Middle School Spelling Bee. Ten schools participated in the preliminary round. The Top Two spellers from each participating school were invited to attend. The Spelling Bee was open to all public and private schools serving seventh- and eighth-graders. Fifteen students competed and the Top Two spellers advance to the state spelling bee in San Joaquin County on April 26.

Elementary school winners standing with Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson are Kayla Wu, Sadia Hennous and Steward Pimienta. Photo courtesy of Solano County Office of Education

First-place for the middle school competition went to Alyssa Wong, a seventh-grader from St. Dominic Catholic School in Benicia. Second-place went to Gwen Sabio, a seventh-grader from Virtual Academy of Fairfield-Suisun, Fairfield-Suisun School District.

The winning word for the elementary competition was “diminution” and the winning word for the middle school competition was “factitious.”

“Spelling Bees are more than a competition. They are a journey of learning, confidence and perseverance. Spelling bees sharpen the mind, strengthen vocabulary and foster a love for language,” said Solano County Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.

All spellers received a certificate of participation and medal. First- and second-place county winners were awarded a trophy and will advance to the California Spelling Bee Championship.

For more information about the Solano County Spelling Bee, contact Rebecca Floyd, Youth Development Services project coordinator at 707-646-7602 or [email protected].

Solano County Office of Education provides leadership, support and fiscal oversight for charter schools and Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield-Suisun, Travis, Vacaville and Vallejo school districts, which serve approximately 63,000 students.