Correctly spelling the word “boutique” in the tenth round of competition, Kennedy Middle School sixth-grader Rena Humes was named the 2019 Aiken County Scripps Spelling Bee Champion Monday, February 4, at the AECOM Center for the Performing Arts in Aiken.
Humes, who finished as the runner-up last year as a fifth-grade student at J.D. Lever Elementary said she studied an hour a day leading up to this year’s competition.
“I definitely studied more this time and my mom helped me to get through it,” Rena stated. “Last year I was so close and this year I finally got it so that was a good feeling.”
Rena is the daughter of Donald Humes and Yoon Park.
In addition to her champion’s plaque, Humes also received an iPad and two $100 gift cards as prizes. This year’s runner up is Paul Knox Middle School eighth-grader Drew Pond.
“I was pretty comfortable up there,” Drew commented. “I studied a lot and I have been through this a few times so I was just trying to keep myself calm. I knew I was going to be competing against some great spellers, especially Rena. She is a really great speller.”
Drew is the son of Brad and Mandy Pond.
In addition to Rena and Drew, this year’s competitors included the following students:
Joanna Brown (Schofield Middle School); Bella Burton (Jefferson Elementary School); Serenity Hilton (East Aiken School of the Arts); Gina Hofstetter (Aiken Elementary School); Alex Kikendall (Aiken Middle School); India Perez (New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School); Gianna Rando (Horse Creek Academy); Peyton Stevens (Belvedere Elementary); Liahona Velez (J.D. Lever Elementary School); and Yolanda Ward (New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet School).
Alternates for this year’s District spelling bee included the following students:
Jayden Avancena (Leavelle McCampbell Middle School); Allie Harm (Chukker Creek Elementary School); Caden Jenkins (J.D. Lever Elementary School); Joseph Marshall (North Augusta Elementary School); Reina Mendez (Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School); and Erik Stier-Delgadillo (Millbrook Elementary School).
Humes will now represent Aiken County during the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee that will be held in Washington, D.C. this May.
“I have never been to Washington, D.C., before so I am really excited about that,” Rena said.
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LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2019 PR KENNEDY STUDENT WINS DISTRICT SPELLING BEE TITLE