First place winner in the LAPS District Spelling Bee was Hannah Li, far left, second place went to Julia Zou, center, and third place went to Isaac Light. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

And then there was one. Hannah Li, a 6th grader at Mountain Elementary School, correctly spelled “exaugural” to win the 2024 Los Alamos County District Spelling Bee held Wednesday night in the Los Alamos High Speech Theater.

Julia Zou, an 8th grader at Los Alamos Middle School, earned the 2nd place trophy while Piñon Elementary School 6th grader Isaac Light took 3rd.

The contest started with 15 students from Barranca Mesa Elementary, Chamisa Elementary, Mountain Elementary, Piñon Elementary and LAMS. By the fourth round, there were six contestants remaining. After seven rounds, only three remained.

Thank you to the volunteers who participated in the District Spelling Bee including judges Debbie Grothaus, Oliver Morris and Morrie Pongratz;  timekeepers and recordkeepers Tammy Hinckley and Nancy Brugh; and pronouncer Judy Crocker (not pictured). Photo Courtesy LAPS

Hosts for the evening were the LAHS Activities department; LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy; Dr. Sharon Fogle, Director of Curriculum; and Kaela Jacobson, Curriculum Specialist.

Hannah and Julia will next compete in the online state qualifying bee on Feb. 28. The top 25 scoring State Qualifying Bee Champions will qualify to compete at the State Spelling Bee on Mar. 23.