DOWNINGTOWN, PA — In a thrilling display of linguistic prowess, Owen J. Roberts Middle School student Charan Garimella clinched first place at the 2024 Chester County Spelling Bee. With the winning word “monotreme”, Garimella spelled his way to victory on Wednesday, February 7. This triumph has earned him the honor of representing Chester County at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee this spring.
Luke Spano from Penn’s Grove School came a close second, while Aelita Lutsik from Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School and Aryahi Khale from Valley Forge Middle School shared the third place. Each of these students showcased their exceptional spelling skills, having earned their spots in the county competition by achieving first place in their individual school’s spelling bee. Over 40 students competed in the event, spelling their way through more than 200 words.
Garimella credits his success to diligent preparation. “I started my preparation a bit early, around the end of October, and practiced one or two hours a day,” he said. “Practice, practice, practice! Starting as early as possible puts you in a better position,” is his advice to future spelling bee participants.
As the champion, Garimella received numerous accolades including the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award certificate, a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online and Encyclopedia Britannica Online, and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. The second-place winner was awarded an UpWords board game, the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, and a $35 Barnes & Noble gift card. The third-place winners each received a Scrabble board game and a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card.
Jay Della Ragione, special events coordinator for the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), praised the event’s impact on students. “The Chester County Spelling Bee helps participants to hone their linguistic skills while building their confidence in public speaking,” he said. “It also offers the students a sense of camaraderie. Even though it is an individual competition, the participants encourage each other, whether they move forward or are eliminated.”
The Chester County Spelling Bee serves as a stepping stone toward the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where young spellers from across the country compete for the top spot. Coordinated by the CCIU and sponsored by CCRES, the 2024 Chester County Spelling Bee was a resounding success.
Join us in celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our local students and wishing Charan Garimella the best of luck as he prepares to represent Chester County on the national stage.
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