Orange County Public Schools honors students for Scripps National Spelling Bee success

Excitement filled the air at the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) School Board meeting as three exceptional students were honored for their achievements in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee. Fifth grader Diego Gallegos from Lakemont Elementary, seventh grader Louis Atavus from Discovery Middle School, and eighth grader Aiden Westover from Odyssey Middle School will represent OCPS at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. this May.

The recognition ceremony highlighted the students' hard work and dedication, culminating in their victory at the regional competition, where they triumphed over a pool of 100 top spellers from the district. Nancy Golden from Curriculum and Instruction praised their commitment, stating, "Their journey to this moment is a testament of their unwavering dedication."

In addition to the accolades, each student received a $1,000 scholarship to help cover expenses for their trip to the national competition, made possible by generous donations to the OCPS foundation. Vice Chair Burd expressed pride in the students, noting the impressive skills displayed during the spelling bee, which took place in March.

The meeting also featured a call for more student involvement in promoting OCPS through videos and advertisements, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the enthusiasm of students for their schools. As the evening continued, the board recognized various achievements in the arts and honored dedicated custodians, reinforcing the community's commitment to celebrating student success across all areas.

With the national competition on the horizon, the OCPS community stands behind these young spellers, eager to see them shine on a larger stage.