
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 18, 1990                   TAG: 9003161913
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SPELLING BEE WINNERS

Most of us experience at least a little anxiety and tension about getting up in front of a group of people, but just imagine being in front of that group at the age of 9 or 10.

Fifth- through eighth-grade pupils in New River Valley schools recently got that experience and at the same time discovered that spelling was a lot more than just using the right letter in the right place. It also was sweaty hands, knocking knees and a whole lot of work.

The pupils have spent the past few weeks competing against their classmates and other schools in a series of spelling bees.

The competitions were held in local schools, with winners advancing to county, city, and district competitions.

\ Montgomery County winners by school:\ Auburn Middle: Ian Phillips;\ Belview Elementary: Chastity Bobbitt;\ Bethel Elementary: Kenneth Francisco;\ Christiansburg Elementary: Brandon Miller;\ Christiansburg Middle: Carrie Simmons;\ Elliston-Lafayette: Joshua Boone;\ Prices Fork: Marlene Fournier;\ Riner: Revonda Jennelle;\ Shawsville Elementary: Marlynna Christian;\ Shawsville Middle: Christina Dudley; and\ Harding Avenue: Cara Prupas.

\ Radford winners: Matthew Henley from\ John Dalton Intermediate, the city winner; Evan Gregory from\ Belle Heth Elementary.

Winners in Montgomery County schools competed in a district competition against students from 13 counties and four cities. Blacksburg Middle School's Eric Chen was first in district competition; Vivekram Bellur from Gilbert Linkous Elementary was district alternate.

\ Winners in Floyd County competition: Anna Gorrskey from\ Check Elementary; Eric Lovitt from\ Floyd Elementary, also the county winner; Joy Thomas from\ Floyd County High; Kirsten Simpkins from\ Indian Valley Elementary and Pamela Harrison from\ Willis Elementary.

\ Pulaski County winners: Sarah Simpkins from\ Dublin Middle,alBo the county winner; Amanda Robertson from\ Pulaski Middle; Brian Davidson from\ Critzer Elementary; Benji Simpkins from\ Snowville Elementary; Baldwin from\ Riverlawn Elementary; Loren Biggs from\ Dublin Elementary; Eula Crowder from\ Draper Elementary and Michael Johnson from\ Newbern Elementary.

County, city and district winners will compete in a regional competition April 7 at the Sheraton Airport Inn in Roanoke.

by CNB