Castro Valley, San Lorenzo Students Advance To State Spelling Bee

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Two local students were among eight students honored at the annual Alameda County Elementary and Junior High School Spelling Bee on March 18.

Sixth grader Anita Simon and 5th grader Ruijia Gu, who beat out dozens of other Alameda County student competitors, will compete at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.

“Congratulations to all of the students who competed, and especially to our county winners,” Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L. Karen Monroe said in a statement. “I wish you all the best as you represent your school, district, and county at the state competitions.”

The event will be held May 13.

Trustee Aisha Knowles, who serves as the County Board’s Countywide Events Advisor, stated, “It is a joy to watch our County’s students come together in friendly competition, supporting each other when disappointed by a misspelled word and cheering each other on with each successful spelling.”

Below are the students who were honored last Saturday:

Alameda County Elementary Spelling Bee winners (7 rounds):

• *1st Place: Anita Simon, 6th grade, Creekside Middle School (Castro Valley USD)
• *2nd Place: Pradyum Gaddam, 4th grade, Niles Elementary (Fremont USD)
• 3rd Place: Nevanmee Kurulugama, 6th grade, Mendenhall Middle (Livermore Valley Joint USD)
• 4th Place: Ruijia Gu, 5th grade, Dayton Elementary (San Lorenzo USD)

*Will compete at the State Elementary Bee on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.
Alameda County Junior High Spelling Bee winners (5 rounds):

• **1st Place: Aarush Aitha, 8th grade, Fallon Middle School (Dublin USD)
• **2nd Place: Vishal Venkatesh, 8th grade, Fallon Middle School (Dublin USD)
• 3rd Place: Sage Plaisted, 7th grade Hillcrest School, (Oakland USD)
• 4th Place: Max Gochman 7th grade, Montera Middle School (Oakland USD)

**Will compete at the State Junior High Bee on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Miller Creek Middle School in San Rafael, CA.

Written by Autumn Johnson and Bea Karnes; Photo courtesy Alameda County Office of Education