The 50th Annual Dr. June McOmber Junior High Spelling Bee brought together top student spellers from across Tuolumne County for an exciting competition celebrating academic excellence. Hosted by the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools (TCSOS) and emceed by Superintendent Zack Abernathy, this year’s event was held at Curtis Creek Elementary School and featured 54 students from 12 local schools.
Celebrating Spelling Excellence
Throughout the competition, students demonstrated impressive spelling skills, tackling challenging words such as carafe, braggadocio, and grandiloquent. After multiple rounds of intense competition, the top three winners emerged:
🥇 1st Place: Selah England – Tenaya Elementary
🥈 2nd Place: Samuel Hales – Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy
🥉 3rd Place: Quinn Igoe – Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy
Both Selah England and Samuel Hales will now advance to the California State Junior High Spelling Bee, taking place on April 26, 2025, at the Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca, CA.
Honoring Dr. June McOmber
This event is dedicated to the late Dr. June McOmber, a former curriculum consultant at TCSOS who reinstated the Tuolumne County Spelling Bee in 1975. Her passion for education and student achievement continues to inspire this annual tradition.
A Community Effort
The success of the 50th Annual Tuolumne County Spelling Bee would not have been possible without the dedication of our judges:
- Erika Atwood
- Jill Herd
- Liz & Terry Miller
- April Ritts
- Alexia & Cyndi Simonson
We extend our gratitude to Curtis Creek Elementary School for hosting the event, as well as to all the students, families, and educators who supported this milestone competition.
View Event Highlights
📸 Check out photos from the event below!
Congratulations to Selah England (1st), Samuel Hales (2nd), and Quinn Igoe (3rd) for their outstanding spelling skills! Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
The highs and lows of competition—every word spelled is a step toward victory! Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
A moment of review—judges ensure accuracy and fairness throughout the competition. Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
Focus and determination—every competitor brought their best spelling skills to the stage! Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
The ultimate word authority—this well-worn dictionary stands ready as the official reference for the 50th Annual Tuolumne County Spelling Bee. Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
Certificates of participation awaiting the talented competitors at the 50th Annual Tuolumne County Spelling Bee. Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
Every letter counts! A contestant focuses on spelling their word during the competition. Photo Credits Shannon Oden- TCSOS
As we celebrate 50 years of spelling excellence in Tuolumne County, we are proud of every student who participated and demonstrated their dedication to learning. Congratulations to all the competitors!
Stay tuned for updates as Selah and Samuel represent Tuolumne County at the state competition!