Joey Ramirez, a fourth-grader at West Sedona School, will represent the Sedona-Oak Creek School District in the 78th Annual Yavapai County Spelling Bee to be held at the Phillip England Center on Saturday, February 10th at 1:00 p.m. Performing Arts Department located at 210 Camp Lincoln Road in Camp Verde.
- Click here to see photos from the 2023 West Sedona School Spelling Bee here.
The County Spelling Bee is a tournament of champions that brings together the best spellers from public, private, charter, and homeschool competitions. Ramirez won second place and $50 in the school's spelling bee on Friday, Dec. 8. After 23 rounds and 100 words, fifth-grader Hendricks Mitchell took first place after successfully spelling the word “thousand,” winning $75 and cash prizes. Trophy donated by the Sedona Belle Rock Kiwanis Club.
“We're excited about it [Ramirez] They are coming to represent our school,” WSS Principal Elizabeth Tavasi said. “[Mitchell’s] She no longer attends our campus because her family moved her. Therefore, she cannot represent our school.but [Ramirez] He's a great young man and we know he'll represent us well. “He and his family came here. [at WSS] His entire school life,” Tavasi continued. “He has quite a few brothers who graduated from West Sedona School. So we're excited about that. [Ramirez] I plan to represent our school. He's a really great kid. He's very smart. He is very kind and polite. He's just liked by his peers. He's a really good kid overall. He's a little reserved, but he has a bright, beautiful smile. ”
“Joey is an incredible young man who works incredibly hard,'' said teacher Kelly Cadigan. “He tries to do his best every day. [Ramirez] Show kindness to your fellow humans. He is a responsible helper and strives to be a good example for everyone. He is a wonderful brother, student, and friend. [Ramirez] He works very hard on spelling these words and continues to show a commitment to learning and growing. We are so proud of his accomplishments, being a finalist in the school spelling bee and now reaching the county spelling bee. ”
The Arizona State Spelling Bee will be held in Phoenix on Saturday, March 16, after which the top two finishers from the state will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this spring.
