Joliet District 86 Announces Spelling Bee Winners
From left, Lynne Thigpen Elementary School Principal Dr. Teresa Woodard, First Place Winner Lynne Thigpen student Natalia Hernandez, Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, Second Place Winner Sandburg student Isaac Ruiz, and Carl Sandburg Elementary School Academic Advisor Nina Easto. (Story and photo provided)
After 17 rounds of spelling, Lynne Thigpen Elementary School fifth-grade student Natalia Hernandez won the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Elementary School Spelling Bee Contest.
Isaac Ruiz from Carl Sandburg Elementary was the runner-up and Alexander Cervantes from T.E. Culbertson Elementary School placed third.
The competition took place at Pershing Elementary School.
Also competing in the contest were: M.J. Cunningham Elementary: Ruben Rojo-Ricardez; Eisenhower Academy: Mariana Reyes; Farragut Elementary: Gael Hernandez Jaramillo; Forest Park I.E.: Mateo Morales; Thomas Jefferson Elementary: Evalyn Goins; Edna Keith Elementary: Sofia Ruiz; A.O. Marshall Elementary: Justin Hernandez; Pershing Elementary: Ororo Selene Dokes; Sator Sanchez Elementary: Alvaro Hernandez; Isaac Singleton Elementary: Christian Perez; Taft Elementary: Gabriel Duran; and Woodland Elementary: Jeffrey Brown.
In addition, the top Joliet District 86 junior high spellers will compete in the 2025 Will County Regional Spelling Bee on March 13 at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox.
Students will include:
Dirksen Junior High: Karielle Walters; Gompers Junior High: Amy Salazar; Hufford Junior High: Mindy
Rios; and Washington Academy: Jada Brown.