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Back row, from left, Dr. Katie Krumpe, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Marcia Antopol, executive director of the sponsoring Fineshriber Family Foundation, and School Board member Sue Robins. Front, from left, first-place finisher Camille Cosato, second-place Victor Yamamoto, and third-place Clarissa Cheng. Photo, Geoff Maleman.
Camille Cosato stood tall and confidently spelled the word p-r-e-v-i-o-u-s to take home the 10th annual School District Spelling Bee title on Monday evening at Lin Howe Elementary. The fourth-grader from Farragut Elementary defeated 23 other spellers – four students from each of the District’s five elementary schools and Culver City Middle School.
The finalists:
Culver City Middle School
Clarissa Cheng • Willow Hartman
Sheema Muller • Kieren Walker
El Marino Language School
Diego Brown • William “Liam” Burke
Andrew Fan • Maiya Kuida Osumi
El Rincon Elementary
Tyson Brazil • Maya Christie
Maher Kabir • Victor Yamamoto
Farragut Elementary
Sophia Bernard • Camille Cosato
Mina Guirguis • David Lee
La Ballona Elementary
George Gergis • Toby Heller
Jayden Mapile • Yamaan Shaikh
Lin Howe Elementary
Sam Allen • Kate Bancroft
Maria Bessolova • Madison Martin del Campo
There was plenty of drama as the final two spellers – Ms. Cosato and El Rincon’s Victor Yamamoto – missed the same word several times. Toughies like “hieroglyphs,” “immobilize” and “forbearing” tripped them both up before Mr. Yamamoto missed the word “villain,” and Ms. Cosato correctly spelled that word and the word “previous” to win the main prize.
Ms. Cosato a took home a first-place trophy and a $200 cash prize, courtesy of the sponsoring Fineshriber Family Foundation.
She will advance to the Los Angeles County Spelling Bee, Wednesday, March 25, at 4 o’clock, at Almansor Court, 700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra. The winner will qualify for the statewide spelling bee in Sonoma in May.
Marcia Antopol, executive director of The Fineshriber Family Foundation, presented a trophy and $150 in cash to second-place finisher Mr. Yamamoto, and a trophy and $100 in cash to third-place Clarissa Cheng of the Middle School.
In addition, each participant received a certificate of commendation signed by the District’s superintendent, Dave LaRose, congratulating him or her on reaching the Spelling Bee finals.
The Bee will be broadcast on local television on Channel 35.
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com
