With a steady voice and unwavering confidence, fourth grader Rose Macdonell spelled her way to victory in the schoolwide spelling bee at William W. Estes Elementary. Now, she’s preparing for an even bigger challenge - competing at the North Carolina State Spelling Bee in Charlotte on Sunday March 9.
Rose’s journey to the top was anything but easy. Facing tough competition from students across all grade levels at Estes, she remained composed under pressure, correctly spelling word after word.
Her victory makes her the only student from Buncombe County Schools to qualify for the state competition this year, something she is both proud and nervous about.
“I feel like I am a big leader for my school,” said Rose. “I think the competition is going to be pretty hard, because some of the words I know and some I don’t.”
Win or lose, Rose’s achievement is already inspiring her classmates and teachers. No matter what happens in Charlotte, one thing is certain - Rose’s love for words and her dedication to learning have already made her a champion.