Dzil Libei student wins Western Navajo Agency Spelling Bee

Francita George, won the 2008 fifth grade level, Western Navajo Agency Spelling Bee. George is a student at Dzil Libei Elementary in Cameron (Photo by Tanya Tso).

Francita George, won the 2008 fifth grade level, Western Navajo Agency Spelling Bee. George is a student at Dzil Libei Elementary in Cameron (Photo by Tanya Tso).

Tanya Tso, a teacher at Eagles Nest Intermediate School (ENIS) was this year's spelling bee sponsor for Tuba City District.

Of the ten reservation area schools registered to compete and with the recent cold weather traveling conditions, Tuba City District produced several top spelling winners, including fifth grade level top winner Francita George.

George is the daughter of Mildred Huskie and Guy George. She won by spelling the word, "benefactor".

George also managed to place third overall in the entire contest, competing against the top two spellers from fourth through eighth grades in the final competition.

After the initial pre-bee held at ENIS in January, there were nine TCUSD winners overall, including students from the fourth grade: 1st-Shandon Norris, 2nd-Kaley Secody, 3rd-Jacob Moul; Fifth grade: 1st Cante Riggle, 2nd Senneca Johnson, 3rd Leighton Posey; and sixth grade: 1st Lillian Bedonie, 2nd Isaac Manrique, 3rd Jason Mike.

Of these students, Tso took the top two from each grade level to the Western Navajo Area Regional Spelling Bee at Greyhills in February. Kaley Secody placed second overall correctly spelling words like, muumuu, persimmon and caribou. Words for each grade level were difficult, including such words as ventriloquist, damask, commiserate and basilica. Secody also placed second for the fourth grade level.

Senneca Johnson placed second for at the fifth grade level.

Local students who also placed for the Tuba City and Moencopi areas were: 1st place overall, Wesley Loughran, sixth grade, Moencopi Day School; 2nd Place overall, Kaley Secody, fourth grade, Eagle's Nest Intermediate School; 3rd Place overall, Francita George, Dzil Libei Elementary School.

The WNA Spelling Bee for this year was organized by Fredia Maloney, Department of Youth Spelling Bee Director.

The next spelling bee competition for these local winners will be held at the Navajo Nation Spelling Bee on March 13 in Window Rock.

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