Goodrich – At both the elementary and high school levels, Goodrich students
know how to spell success.
Former county high school champion Stacy Binelli outspelled all other Genesee County sophomores at the March 10 Grade-10 spelling bee, but misspoke during spelling her assigned word at the county high school finals.
Coming in second to Stacy was Anudep Mukkamala, of Grand Blanc; the third place sophomore winner was Danelle Graves of Flushing.
‘I wanted to kick myself,? said Stacy, who confesses to an inherent knack for spelling, ‘It was an easy word.?
Despite her flair for words, Stacy is leaning toward a career as an engineer, she says.
Taylor Priest, an Oaktree Elementary student in Janet McMahon’s class, came in third place, earning her a bronzemedal.
Taylor, who wants to be a photographer when she grows up, recalled being nervous during the eight-round spelling bee, in which she successfully spelled words like ‘chronicle? and ‘unmerciful.? For Taylor, the event got hairy only when she was asked to spell the rarely-used ‘whiskery?. Despite the narrow shave at taking first place, the petite bright student is enjoying wearing her medal around school. Kevin Ketzbeau, of Flint, took first, while David Smith of Clio took second in the fourth-grade spelling competition.
‘I felt good about it,? said Taylor, who also admits to being relieved when the event was over.
‘I was kind of nervous,? she said.