W-I-N-N-E-R-S: Four Students Place In District Spelling Bee

W-I-N-N-E-R-S (from left): Eden Mew (fourth place), Billy Mehar (second place), Joshua Chelliah (first place) and Dot Keathley (third place).

“O-C-A-R-I-N-A. Ocarina.” landed on the ears of the judges and crowd like music played from the vessel flute that defines the word and declared Sutton Middle School eighth grader Joshua Chelliah the first-place winner of the Atlanta Public Schools’ 58th Annual District Wide Spelling Bee.

Held on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at John Lewis Invictus Academy, this year’s spelling bee lasted for 14 rounds. Sarah Smith Elementary fourth grader Billy Mehar placed second, Inman Middle School seventh grader Dot Keathley placed third, and Morris Brandon Elementary fifth grader Eden Mew placed fourth.

The top four winners will represent APS at the Georgia Association of Educators’ Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Decatur Library Auditorium.

“Each year the APS Spelling Bee grows in participation,” said Jermal L. Riggins, K-5 Literacy Coordinator. “Our kids are truly excited to be here and our parents come out in full force to support them. We’re so proud of our families and communities.”