Cato-Meridian Elementary School recognized 18 outstanding student spellers after a written Spelling Bee held two weeks ago in grades four through six, followed by an oral Spelling Bee held Jan. 13.

Students who earned top spelling honors at their grade level during the written bee included:

Fourth grade: Anne Laing, Jaxson LeRoy, Kody Schroeder, Zackary LeRoy, Lily Cali and Carson Kent.
Fifth grade: Lirael Garrett, Savanna Mantell, Eliott Miner, Cicily Kline, Norah Schell and Dixon McClain.
Sixth grade: Brinley Emond, Anya Regester, Maya Wegman, Jadon Gray, Emerson Daino and Grantley Grady.

All students in grades 2-6 attended the oral Spelling Bee, along with families of the top spellers.

“Our top 18 spellers demonstrated outstanding poise and confidence as they competed in our Spelling Bee.” said Danielle Mahoney, elementary school principal.

After 10 rounds of competition, Lirael Garrett was named the Cato-Meridian Spelling Bee Champion, correctly spelling the words “commotion” and “immigrants.”

Garrett will advance to the next level of competition in February, along with three runners-up: Grantley Grady, Anne Laing and Zackary LeRoy.