Trixie Meckley of DeLand Middle School wins Volusia County Spelling Bee

Ormond Beach Observer
News

For about two hours, students, parents and teachers waited anxiously as participants of the 59th annual Volusia County Schools Spelling Bee stood up to spell words in order to vie for the chance to go on to the Orlando Sentinel District Bee on Wednesday, March 21.

This year's winner was Trixie Meckley of DeLand Middle School. Shir Tal of Esformes Hebrew Academy was the runner-up. If Meckley wins the Orlando Sentinel District Bee, she will go on to compete in the National National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC in late May.

Silver Sands Middle School student Cooper Foxman. Photo by Nichole Osinski

More than 35 students in grades four through eight competed in this year's competition, which took place on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Students from six Port Oranges schools were among the participants.

"It's really awesome," Meckley said. "I was hoping I would win but I didn't think I would."

This was Meckley's third county spelling bee. During her first competition she was the runner-up to her sister, who helped her prepare for this year's spelling bee.

Stacey Infante, Cameron Infante, Joy Bigham and Michael Infante. Photo by Nichole Osinski

Meckley won by spelling the word kabuki in round 11 after Tal misspelled amarillo.

The competition was just one of many for Silver Sands Middle School student Cooper Foxman who said he enjoys the competition.

"There is a lot of practicing," Foxman said. "It is pretty hard just spelling the words and memorizing them."

Trixie Meckley of DeLand Middle School. Photo by Nichole Osinski

And for some students like, Horizon Elementary School student Cameron Infante, it wasn't just about trying to come in first place. It was about being a part of a spelling bee.

"I thought it was pretty cool to be in it," Infante said. "And even if I didn't win it's OK, because I still got in it and that's all that matters."