Front row: Lexie Perez (1st), Sally Keenan (2nd), Evelyn Shumaker (3rd), Travers McGaugh (4th). Back row: Mrs. Nichols, 1st grade teacher, Mr. Landis, Director of Admissions, Honor Reichel (5th), Liam Kantor (6th), Claire Harris (7th), Winston Ochs (8th), Dr. Rudolph, Upper School Dean of Faculty, and Mr. McRae, 6th grade teacher. Photo: Jackson Hole Classical Academy

JACKSON, Wyo. — Seventh-grader Claire Harris is the two-time spelling bee champion at the Jackson Hole Classical Academy.

Claire Harris, 7th grade, the winner of the 2021 and 2022 JH Classical Academy Spelling Bee. Photo: Jackson Hole Classical Academy

Jackson Hole Classical Academy held the spelling bee yesterday, Jan. 27 with one student from each grade competing to be the overall winner.

Harris will again be invited to compete in the Wyoming State Spelling Bee. The finalists are awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.

Last year, Harris won at the state level against 73 competitors from 14 counties.

In the ninth round, it was down to Honor Reichel, Winston Ochs and Harris. Harris finished first, and won the tenth round as well, making her the overall champion.

Students grades first through eighth competed in their own classroom spelling bees over the last few weeks.

The 2022 Academy Bee contestants were:

  • 1st grade: Lexie Perez
  • 2nd grade: Sally Keenan
  • 3rd grade: Evelyn Shumaker
  • 4th grade: Travers McGaugh
  • 5th grade: Honor Reichel
  • 6th grade: Liam Kantor
  • 7th grade: Claire Harris
  • 8th grade: Winston Ochs

 

Buckrail @ Lindsay

lindsay@buckrail.com

Lindsay Vallen is a Community News Reporter covering a little bit of everything; with an interest in politics, wildlife, and amplifying community voices. Originally from the east coast, Lindsay has called Wilson, Wyoming home since 2017. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, hiking, cooking, and completing the Jackson Hole Daily crosswords.