Bragging on my nephew and brother-in-law!

My nephew, Luke Bunker, won his county-wide Spelling Bee. Below is the article in the Dodge City, KS newspaper.

His dad, my brother-in-law, Gene Bunker, also did something that I am proud to announce. He just received his Associates Degree after going back to college and taking classes. I am excited that he would be interested in going back to school, much like myself, after being in the work force for so many years. Gene, my hat is off to you. No article in the paper but still an important life event.

Sacred Heart student wins Ford County Spelling Bee

Spelling a win

By Ashley Nietfeld - Dodge City Daily Globe

Sixteen students gathered in The Learning Center in Dodge City Friday afternoon, nervously awaiting the start of the Ford County Spelling Bee. Having already been declared the winner at his or her school, each hoped to become the champion speller in the county.

"You are all winners," said Kathy Frederking, a librarian at Comanche Intermediate Center who volunteered to be the word pronouncer for the bee. "You're awesome for being here."

Boys and girls in grades 4-8 went to the microphone one by one, all competing for the chance to go to Topeka for the state spelling bee.

In the first round, 10 students stumbled over challenging words such as "facsimile" and "calcification." In the next two rounds, "lacrosse" and "hacienda" stumped two more students, while others sailed through "laceration" and "kindergarten."

After 14 students left the stage with a few tears and some shrugs of disappointment, Luke Bunker and Elizabeth Jenkins faced off in the final round. Both students volleyed through "maestro," "magnificence," "narration" and "niche." It wasn't until Jenkins misspelled "nightingale" that Bunker was able to swoop in for the win. The championship word "nimbus" sealed Bunker as the winner.

Bunker was given a plaque and will have his name engraved on the traveling trophy that hangs on the wall at The Learning Center. He was also presented with a plaque from the Dodge City Daily Globe and $100 to cover his expenses for his trip to Topeka.

If Bunker is able to grab the state title, he will go to Washington, D.C., for the National Spelling Bee.

All 16 of the brave and hardworking students at Friday's bee received certificates of participation "for consistent achievement spelling words large and small."

"We have a nice group of kids," said Annette Aldape, the bee's coordinator and principal at Beeson Elementary School.

Anyone who missed the spelling bee will be able to watch it at 2 p.m. each day on Channel 21.

Picture by Michael Schweitzer/Daily Globe

Luke Bunker from Sacred Heart Middle School smiles after winning the Ford County Spelling Bee Friday afternoon at the USD 443 Learning Center.

Seated behind Bunker is Elizabeth Jenkins of Spearville Middle School, who placed second in the contest.