LIVINGSTON, La. — The 42nd annual Livingston Parish News Spelling Bee brought together students from across the parish Tuesday night at the Livingston Parish Fair.
After eight rounds of competition, Caroline Heath of Frost Junior High claimed first place by correctly spelling “predicament” to take the lead, and "impending" for the win.
Jacob Bird of Southside Junior High finished second after missing the word “predicament.” Under spelling bee rules, Heath then correctly spelled “predicament” and “impending” to secure the title.
Zachary Rickards of Live Oak Middle placed third.
Each school holds a campus competition before the parish spelling bee, with the top two students advancing to represent their school. Third-place finishers serve as alternates.
The event was moderated by McHugh David, Executive Director of the Louisiana Press Association and Publisher of the Livingston Parish News, who presented each word to the contestants.
Judges Lorin Wax Caruso, Liz Hart, and Elise LeBlanc verified that each contestant pronounced the word before and after spelling it and determined whether the spelling was correct. All three judges have several years of teaching experience in the Livingston Parish School System.
The Livingston Parish News thanks the Livingston Parish Fair for providing the Green Barn as a venue every year, as well as Smoothie King, Raising Cane's, Sonic, and Chick-fil-A for supporting this year’s spelling bee and helping recognize the parish’s young scholars.
The full list of contestants and their schools follows:
Albany Middle School
Adalyn Chaisson
Violet Najeeb
Denham Springs Jr. High
Vanessa Williams
Arabella Dupuy
Doyle High School
Jamena McDonald
Macy Yudiche
French Settlement Elementary
William Dyess
Emelia Folse
Frost Jr. High
Kyleigh White
Caroline Heath
Holden School
Julio Ramos
Juban Parc Jr. High
Marlowe Bridges
Allison Anderson
Live Oak Middle
Zachary Rickards
Kinsley Rudison
Maurepas School
Kensley Moran
Brynlee Smithhart
North Corbin Jr. High
Brylan Edwards
Liam Signorino
Southside Jr. High
Kate Ardoin
Jacob Byrd
Springfield Middle
Mickey Coxe
Charles Coxe
Westside Jr. High
Eliana Gutierreaz
