Schools

Whiz Kids: Spelling Bee Champs

Arielle Moore and Wilson Biggs discuss victories at Cook-Wissahickon spelling tournament.

Starting this week, Roxborough-Manayunk Patch will spotlight area youths excelling. The Whiz Kid(s) of the Week will come from local schools, churches, scouts or youth groups and can be for a variety of scholastic, athletic or service-oriented deeds. To nominate a deserving kid, e-mail samfran@Patch.com.

Whiz Kids: Arielle Moore (10) and Wilson Biggs (11)

School: Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School

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Accomplishment: Each student won individual spelling bees for their respective age groups.

Competing against their peers (and also some older kids), Moore and Biggs captured the fifth grade and sixth through eighth grade spelling bee titles, respectively, from Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School. According to teacher Diane Powers, it was the first such tournament in school history.

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Moore breezed through words like "cascade" and "castle" before capturing the crown with "preliminary." Though nervous, Moore overcame her stage fright to secure the win.

"I thought I would make a tiny mistake, and when I won I was still a little in shock," she said.

Similarly nervous, Biggs bested students older and younger than him. With his final word "concomitant," Biggs said his key to success was "sounding it out, and luckily was able to do it."

Biggs also had special fans cheering him on. "It was nice to have my parents there."

For Moore, the spoils of victory continue. "I still have to get used to all the attention. People keep coming up to me and saying 'good job.'"

Though both possess an English aptitude, Moore and Biggs said math was their favorite subject. 

"There's always something new to learn, in both math (and science)," Moore said.

In March, both will represent the school in a regional tournament.


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