Submitted by Eran Bach - Grade 6 WL McLeod
After studying 2000 words, whose origins were Old English, Latin, Arabic, Slavic, French, Italian, Dutch, Greek, Spanish and Asian since December, Jane Kanary represented WL McLeod at the regional spelling bee in Prince George on March 3. Kanary competed against 33 people from Prince Rupert all the way to Quesnel, and was named runner-up to champion. Kanary said she had a lot of support from family and friends from Vanderhoof.
"It was a great experience and I'm hoping to compete in it next year," Kanary said.
Jane said she was really tense and nervous and although she was only hoping to get through a couple of rounds, she didn't expect to place second overall.
Jane’s coach, Mrs Leanne O'Brien said she was extremely proud of Jane.
"Jane was a very good student because she studied and ... did more than I asked," O'Brien said.
Did O'Brien think Jane would do this well?
"I was hopeful because she knew she worked for it, but it was the same for everyone else; these were the top spellers from their schools hoping to win as well," O’Brien said.
Mrs. Maggie Fraser, the coordinator of the event for WL McLeod, said she first read about the event in the Prince George Citizen and has been wanting to do it for three years. "I love spelling and I love big words," she said, "at the regional spelling bee it was so exciting."
Submitted
Our very own McLeod Elementary Gr. 7 student Jane Kanary came so, so close to bringing home $5000 cash, winning an all-expense paid trip to Toronto, Ontario and boasting Championship Title for this year’s 2012 CANSPELL Regional Spelling Bee. Jane Kanary competed for three hours last Saturday, March 3 in Prince George against 33 other top-speller contestants. After 12 intense rounds of successful spelling, exuding “cool as a cucumber” calmness throughout, Kanary the last remaining contestant on stage, had but one more Championship word to tackle. Sadly and in her recently disqualified opponent’s favour, the word “albeit” turned the table back to Logan O ‘Neil (Gr. 7 P.G. student from Malaspina Elementary).
Congratulations Jane on your First Runner Up status! Everyone (students and staff) from the Proud to be McLeod family are so incredibly proud of Jane, her studies and her accomplishment of getting so far. Jane has hopes of entering again next year as a grade 8 level competitor. Superior spelling, Jane and best wishes at CANSPELL 2013. We’re rooting for you!