By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

Hunter Hudson Jr., a seventh grader at Hayneville Middle School, spelled “Affinity” correctly and then spelled the word “necessary” correctly to win the 2012 District-wide Spelling Bee held at Lowndes Middle School in Fort Deposit on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Hudson edged out Jerrica Knight, a fifth grader from Central Elementary School, who finished second, and Karmyn Johnson, a fourth grade student, also from Central Elementary, who took third place.

“Wow, this is a truly a great event. This is our second annual spelling bee,” said Lowndes County School Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd.

He said last year’s winner, Myaira Coleman, went all the way to the to the fifth round in the state competition “and did extremely well.”

“I’m truly proud again of our three winners, but, you know, tonight, every student was a winner,” Boyd said.

Everyone who participated in the event received a certificate.

Luke Taylor director of special projects brought the welcome and announced the winners. Mary Phelan-Jackson, Teacher Incentive Fund coordinator, introduced the judges who included Sonja McCarden, a teacher at Lowndes Middle School, Erica Chatman, counselor at Hayneville Middle School, and Breeon Fayson, a teacher at Jackson-Steele Elementary. Spelling Bee rules were provided by instructional assistant Lesia Robinson of Fort Deposit Elementary.

Contestants included:

Fort Deposit Elementary: Second Grade: Moesha McCall, Javion Means and Nikki Taylor; Third Grade: Dacious Davison, LaDarous Simmons and Natiya Simmons; Fourth Grade: Donterious Robinson, Quandarius Jenkins and Tyler McCall; Fifth Grade: Kiara Coleman, Destiny McCall, Tyrese Searight and Saniya Hayes.

Central Elementary: Second Grade: Zharya Aaron, Amaria Harris and Aries Murphy. Third Grade: Kylie Jones, Christin Watson and David McWilliams. Fourth Grade: A’Nekia Surles, Ariyanna Smith and Karmyn Johnson. Fifth Grade: Jerrica Knight, Rodney Moorer and Kuinajia Williams.
Jackson Steele Elementary: Second Grade: Erick Maull, Damaria Johnson and Attearri Armour. Third Grade Quinderrious Rush and Shekira Tyalkr. Fourth Grade: Destiny McReynolds, Santia Rogers and cordasia Harris. Fifth Grade: Floyd Todd, Jaleigha Gary and Ny’Jeria Brazil.

Lowndes County Middle School: Sixth Grade: Prekoria Lowery, Kimdasia McMeans and Jahkema Ray. Seventh Grade: Orianna Gordon, Titus Carpenter and Aja Lee. Eighth Grade: Audrianna Thicklin, Trenora Ray and Jahnequa Hale.

Hayneville Middle School: Sixth Grade: Jaquarious Edwards and Jada Lewis. Seventh Grade: Destiny Marshall, Victor Rowe and Hunter Hudson Jr. Eighth Grade: Victoria Eads and Akeyla Perry.