An Oak Grove student recently won the 13th annual Butler County Community Resource Council spelling bee at Fox Radio Network, continuing a five-year winning streak for the elementary school.
Preston Pinkerton of Oak Grove Elementary triumphed over finalist Dhanish Patel of Eugene Field in the 34th round of competition with the word s-e-l-f-i-s-h. It is impressive to note that English is Dhanish’s second language, having just enrolled at Poplar Bluff Schools last school year, his accompanying counselor Esther Luna reported.
Other third graders who were commended for reaching the championship round broadcast live on KYEC 88.3 FM, with Poplar Bluff Municipal Library Director Shannon Midyett serving as pronouncer, were: Ashlynn Condley of Lake Road and Aniya Hicks of O’Neal. Each student representing the district's lower elementary schools made it through three previous elimination rounds, beginning with the entire grade span.
With the exception of a three-year hiatus following the pandemic, Oak Grove has consistently produced a spelling bee champion since 2018, when an Oak Grove and O'Neal student tied, upon completing the entire list of words. The following year, an Oak Grove student similarly went neck and neck with Lake Road for the title.
Meanwhile at the upper elementary level, sixth grader Owen Allbritton secured third place at the 16th annual Southeast Missouri Spelling Bee last month at Three Rivers College reportedly among 28 contestants from 18 area middle and elementary schools.
The qualifier to represent Poplar Bluff Middle School at the community college contest took place in February. Aria Rodriguez of the fifth grade was named an alternate to Allbritton. The regional winner, from Senath-Hornersville, will go on to vie in the Scripps National Spelling Bee next month in Washington, D.C.
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Cutline: Preston Pinkerton of the third grade is awarded the 13th annual CRC spelling bee championship trophy on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Fox Radio Network.