Colorado City, Arizona — Seventh grade students at the Masada Charter School in Colorado, Arizona, won the title of Mojave County Champion at a countywide spelling bee.
Ethan Knudson competed at Kingman on January 27, passing 24 other competitors who competed as the “School” champion.
“I won’t lie, the Mojave County contest was easy,” Knudsen said.
this is his 3rd year in a row Masada A school champion, he is in his second year competing in county contests. A year was canceled due to the pandemic.
Leanne Timpson, administrator of Masada Charter School, said:
In a private interview with Timpson and middle school principal Polly Dockstader, Knudson told the St. George News that if he won in Phoenix on March 18, he would win a state contest, and potentially a National Spelling Bee. talked about his accomplishments and his long journey towards… Scripps National Spelling Bee Scheduled for June 1 in Washington DC
“I’m not good at spelling,” says Knudson. “I am good at memorizing.”
His explanation of the battle plan made the administrator of his school smile. One such word he had to spell was “acetaminophen” in his guide’s list of 4,000-word studies.
“I had to change the mindset that if you put in the time and effort, it will pay off and you can see what you have done,” he said.
Knudson says he was born and raised in the Short Creek area, calling it “homemade.”
Himself and his administrator describe him as loving basketball and being an extrovert in his favorite subjects of physical education and science. I explained that it was one of the characters.
Knudson said the main goal of the state competition is to beat the school’s best record, which was fifth place. But he said he spends his time visiting landmarks and learning about our nation’s history while in the nation’s capital for the national championship. The places he visits are based on his father’s decision.
He thanked his family for their patience and support. One of his sisters, Kaitlyn, was wide-eyed and sometimes burnt out, but she always helped him with his practice, he said. He is the middle of eight siblings.
As county champion, he earned the winning trophy. But the big prize is a national competition where he wins $50,000 as a scholarship. The National Spelling Bee is for students from 3rd grade through her 8th grade.
Fifteen players compete in the state competition, with each county representing its champion. At the national level, he competes with over 200 champions from around the world.
Knudson provided advice for future spelling bee contestants.
“You can’t spend part of your day learning a language if you want to win,” says Knudson. “You have to know what you want and if it’s worth it.”
He will be the next school champion four years in a row.
Photo gallery
Ethan Knudsen during the Spelling Bee, Mojave County, Kingman, Arizona, January 27, 2023 | Photo Credit: Knudsen family, St. George News
Ethan Knudson on the shoulders of his brother Preston after winning the Mojave County Spelling Bee in Kingman, Arizona, January 27, 2023 | Photo by Knudsen family, St. George News
Conor Hall and Ethan Knudsen, Spellmasters and No. 2 competitors, at the Mojave County Spelling Bee in Kingman, Arizona, January 27, 2023 | Photo by Knudsen family, St. George News
Ethan Knudsen and the Spelling Master at Spelling Bee, Mojave County, Kingman, Arizona, January 27, 2023 | Photo by Knudsen family, St. George News
Grade 7 Ethan Knudson wins the Mojave County Spelling Bee, representing Masada Charter School in Colorado, Arizona, February 8, 2023 | Photo by St. George News and Nick Yamashita
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