By Hannah Frazier

   This year’s Middle School Spelling Bee left seventh grader Emma Han with a victory as sweet as honey. 

In one hour, 26 students spelled as many words as they could until Emma Han won with her final word — contralto. The runner- up was seventh grader Bodhi De la Fuente. Seventh grader Isabella Alack took third place. 

   The spelling bee is a part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. The first spelling bee  began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling competition. Today, millions of students across the country  participate in these events. 

   The spelling bee consists of four levels: the school level, the regional level, the state level and finally, the national level at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 

   Tempe Prep’s Middle School Spelling Bee was held on Jan. 12 in the Evdokimo Auditorium. The competition was judged by Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Challis and Mrs. Calahan read the words. “Participation helps students with more than just spelling, but also vocabulary and knowing Latin roots,” says Mrs. Calahan.

      On Feb. 11, Emma represented TPA at the Regional Spelling Bee. 

Mrs. Calahan says, “Congratulations to all the participants and good luck, Emma!”