SPELLBOUND: Dalton 7th grader is Wayne County’s top speller and heads to regionals

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Dalton seventh-grade student Ellie Pauli won the Wayne County Spelling Bee Jan. 24.

Ellie Pauli is pictured with Emma Weary, from Chippewa Jr./Sr. High, who placed second at the Wayne County Spelling Bee. There were 18 participants. Weary went two spell off rounds with Madison Clow from Wooster Christian to take second place.

 

DGKN staff report

A Dalton seventh-grade student has been named Wayne County’s top speller.

Ellie Pauli secured first place in the Wayne County Spelling Bee Jan. 24 at Orrville High School Performing Arts Center.

Pauli is serious about spelling. Last year, Pauli placed third at the regional spelling bee in Akron as a sixth-grade student.

This year, the spelling bees are organized differently and spellers who competed in the county bee also will compete in the regional bee, which will be March 11.

“On an appeal after misspelling in round 7, Ellie was put back in due to a mispronunciation of her word,” teacher Jessica Matz wrote in an email. “With three spellers left, Pauli was the only one to spell a word correctly in round 8 with “brusque,” and she then claimed the championship in round 9 spelling “divestiture.” Ellie and the other school champions will compete again on March 11 at the Akron Regional Spelling Bee. Great job and good luck!”