The second time around proved to be the charm for East Central’s Lucy Larson as the fifth grader correctly spelled ferret and then folklore in the ninth round of Rome City Schools’ District Spelling Bee on Friday to be named champion.
Larson, who also competed in the district bee last year as a fourth grader, put the experience to good use.
By the end of the eighth round, only two spellers remained - Larson and Samantha Acas, a sixth grader also from East Central.
When Acas missed her word to open the ninth round, Larson took a deep breath. When she heard the word ferret, one thing popped into her head.
“I thought it was easy,” she said. After spelling ferret correctly, Larson needed to spell folklore to win the bee.
Larson said she didn’t really have any thoughts when she heard folklore, but after correctly spelling the word to claim the win, a big smile spread across her face as she realized she won.
“I was just really, really happy,” she said as she held the large winning trophy.
Larson participated in the district bee last year, getting a taste for what it was like, and returned this year after having lots of time to practice.
“I go to gymnastics a lot, but after gymnastics I would practice with my dad at night,” she said. “I would practice until I would get one wrong, and then I would quiz him because it’s another good way of learning the words.”
Acas also made a repeat appearance at the district bee after finishing sixth two years ago when she was a fourth grader.
“It feels really good to finish second. Last time, when I was in fourth grade, I finished sixth, so I’m glad I finished better this time,” she said.
As for practice, Acas had an extra study partner besides her parents.
“I would read over the words, and I let my mom quiz me,” she said. “But Lucy and I live in the same neighborhood, so we studied together too.”
When asked about her favorite part of the spelling bee, Larson looked over at Acas and answered.
“I love it that I got to come here with Samantha, she’s one of my best friends,” she said.
Larson now qualifies for the Region One Spelling Bee, and Acas is the alternate. The two are already planning to study together some more before the event.
Other spellers in the District Bee included Anna K. Davie Elementary’s Lima Waid and Athena Boone, Elm Street Elementary’s Marlo Salter and Demi Dulaney, Main Elementary’s Dylan Bunch and Mekhi Heath, West Central Elementary’s Kelvin Sanders Jr. and Hansell Vicente Sontay, West End Elementary’s Franklin Perez-Vicente and Carter Green, and Rome Middle’s Belle Sepulveda and Annie Cole.