NEWS RELEASE
January 31, 2020
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen, Marketing Director
561-345-3103
PHOTO ID:
Final three contestants in the Rosarian Academy school-level Scripps Spelling Bee. 7th Grader Emma Chopin spells a word while Catie Ewing and Mark Albury await their turns.
National Spelling Bee Contestant Emma Chopin has the Chance to do it A-G-A-I-N
The Rosarian Academy school-level competition of the 2020 National Spelling Bee was held on January 28, 2020. Eight fifth-through-eighth-grade students competed in the Bee. After 19 rounds, Emma Chopin (seventh grade) won with the championship word “oniomania.” Mark Albury, a sixth-grade student, was the runner-up. This is the third consecutive year that Emma has been a school-level finalist.
Last year, Emma was one of 21 participants who made it to the final round of the Regional Bee. She was then able to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee via acceptance into the RSVBee program—a special, invitational program created by Scripps to provide an opportunity for more spellers to participate in the National Finals. Emma was one of three students in Palm Beach County to compete. She successfully made it through two rounds. The first round was a written test. In round two, every participant had the opportunity to spell one word on stage. Emma’s word was “blunderbuss” which she spelled correctly.
Both Emma and Mark will represent Rosarian Academy at the Final Regional Southeastern Florida Scripps Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 10 at Boca Prep International School. Emma is hopeful to once again earn a spot in the national finals this coming May.
The other Spelling Bee participants included: grade 5—Benjamin Blanco, Emily Dillon; grade 6—Mark Albury, Catie Ewing; grade 7—Emma Chopin, Nicholas Grippi; grade 8— Juan Lucas Gonzalez-Cabanellas, Harry Scarola.
Rosarian Academy, founded in 1925, educates students from early childhood through eighth grade and offers an exceptionally strong academic program enriched by athletics, visual and performing arts, and community service opportunities. The independent, Catholic school is located on Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Bus service is available throughout Palm Beach County. For more information, visit www.rosarian.org or call 561.345.3106.
