2 Marin 5th Graders to Compete in Statewide Spelling Bee

MARIN COUNTY, CA -- Two Marin County fifth-graders who won the countywide elementary spelling bee on Nov. 5 will compete at the statewide bee next April, Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke said.

Twenty-four public and private school students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades competed in the bee at the Marin County Office of Education in San Rafael, Burke said.

Mark Salama of Montessori de Terra Linda took first place by correctly spelling "guffaw." George Giannakis of Bel Aire Elementary School won second place.

Ross Elementary School sixth-grader Violet Finch, Strawberry Point School fifth-grader Colette Hale and Davidson Middle School sixth-grader Eliza Gould placed third through fifth, respectively.

The statewide elementary school spelling bee is scheduled to take place April 13 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Burke said.

By Bay City News Service/Image via Shutterstock