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Mammoth-San Manuel District Spelling Bee winners and alternates are, from left, Daniella Kotoupolous, first place; Marcus Hubbard, fourth; Autumn Small, second; Lena Stella, fifth; Rianna Estrada, third; and Kiera Boulware, sixth.

  The top spellers in the Mammoth-San Manuel Unified School District met on Jan. 31 at the San Manuel High School auditorium to determine the top three spellers and three alternates that would be representing the district at the Pinal County Spelling Bee. The students were members of the Spelling Bee clubs which were organized at First Avenue Elementary, Mammoth Elementary STEM School and San Manuel Jr./Sr. High School. The top 6 spellers from each school 4^th through 8^th grade were selected to compete at the District Spelling Bee.

  Mrs. Annette Soqui led the First Avenue club which consisted of Kiera Boulware, 1^st Place; Nico Chavez Molina, 2^nd Place; Andrea Nabor, 3^rd Place; Mateo Chavez Molina, 4^th Place; Marcus Hubbard, 5^th Place; and Jocelyn Romero, 6^th Place.

  The Mammoth Elementary STEM School club was coached by Manny Chavez. Winners were: 1^st Place, Grecia Rodriguez; 2^nd Place, Niana Gallego, 3^rd Place, Izayah Valenzuela; 4^th Place, Vicente Curry; 5^th Place, Diego Camarena; and 6^th Place, Lena Stella. 

  Mrs. Denise Fisher led the San Manuel Jr./Sr. High School club whose winners were: 1^st Place, Daniella Kotopoulous;  2^nd Place, Mia Borg; 3^rd Place, Rianna Estrada; 4^th Place, Autumn Small; 5^th Place, Miacela Burnham; and 6^th Place, Alyssa Riekofski.

  After nine rounds of spelling, Daniella Kotopoulous, a 7^th grade student at San Manuel Jr./Sr. High School, correctly spelled the word “digestive” to take 1^st place in the district spelling bee. Autumn Small and Rianna Estrada both 7^th graders took 2nd and 3^rd Place. The alternates were: Kiera Boulware, 6th Place, 1^st Avenue 5^th grade; Lena Stella, 5^th Place, Mammoth Elementary STEM School, 6^th grade; & Marcus Hubbard, 4^th Place, 1^st Avenue Elementary 4^th grade.

  The top three winners of the district spelling Bee will be competing in the 54^th Annual Pinal County Spelling Bee, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at the Coolidge High School Performing Arts Center. The center is located at 684 W. Northern Ave. in Coolidge. The alternates will travel to Coolidge and if one of the top three is unable to compete, an alternate will take their place. 

  Congratulations to all the competitors and good luck to the district winners! 

John Hernandez (785 Posts)

John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.

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