Lawton, OK: Lawton Public School 4th-8th grade students will compete in the 2020 Central Oklahoma Scripps Spelling Bee, sponsored by The Okahoman, from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Central Middle School, 1201 NW Fort Sill Blvd.
Prior to this annual regional spelling bee, each elementary and middle school conducted an in-house spelling bee. The top two finalist from each site will have the opportunity to compete in this regional spelling bee—Region 14—and to claim a spot in the state contest in Norman, OK. The top two state finalists will advance to the national level in Washington, D.C.
The Oklahoman educational services coordinator Bailey Huntsman is the state spelling bee coordinator. However, LPS assistant director of elementary education Sherry Havron will coordinate the spelling bee for Region 14. She said although it will be her first time planning the event, her spelling bee participation dates back 39 years, as she formerly prepared students for the competition as a teacher, counselor and principal.
“The spelling bee starts at the individual school sites and this competition is always so exciting for parents, students, and teachers,” Havron said. “My favorite part of the spelling bee is the excitement in the air as students arrive to register for the big event. Pride and enthusiasm fill the faces of parents, family members and students.”
Havron said families play a vital role in helping their child(ren) prepare for the event.
“Parents practice with their child[ren] after school, at the dinner table and in the mornings before school,” Havron said. “At school, you see students studying and practicing with classmates when class work is finished and even at recess.”
The local sponsor for this year’s spelling bee is the Junior League of Lawton. They will provide the medals that all participants will receive and the trophies for the winner and runner-up. Additionally, Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, Edible Arrangements and Subway will provide food and drink awards for every student who participates in the competition.
“I can’t wait to meet all our school spelling bee representatives,” Havron said. “They are all winners and make Lawton proud!”
Find the following list of winners from each participating school below.
| Adams | W- Paisley Harrison R- Kaleb Hicks |
| Ridgecrest | W- Daecio Hurd R- Zaiden Fitch |
| Almor West | W- Anastasia Spencer R- Logan Ridgaway |
| Sullivan Village | W- Jason Overby R- Levi Brown |
| Carriage Hills | W- Anthony Grimes R- Steven Tran |
| Washington | W- Violet Vaughn R- Samarah Theissen |
| Cleveland | W- Christian Morphis R- Parker Polzin |
| Whittier | W- Lisa Uwadiae R- Brodie Surrite |
| Crosby Park | Evan C De Baca R- Christopher Butler |
| Woodland Hills | W- Carson Rennels R- Abigale Hatfield |
| Edison | W- Stephen Donald R-Jesse Winans |
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| Eisenhower | W- Lexie Nideo R- Ava Hardiman |
| CMS | W- Lauren Lee R- Kaitlyn Lee |
| Freedom | W- Juliana Cutter R- Kadence Eastwood |
| EMS | W- Austin Bartek R- Angela Huang |
| Hugh Bish | W- Dylan Thankachan R- Alina Trbovich |
| MMS | W- Cora Sullivan R- Madison Roberts |
| Lincoln | W- Lillie Dennis R- Kiaonna Heart-Jennings |
| TMS | W- Antonio Saucedo R- Jackie Meeks |
| Pat Henry | W- Haydyn Graves R- Austin Davis |
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| Pioneer Park | W- Daniel Newton R-Hallie Pooschke |
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