Jacob Carrillo, Timur Aitbayev and Brielle Pallante.

“S-U-R-P-L-U-S” was seventh-grader Jacob Carrillo’s winning word, placing him first in the district spelling bee on Tuesday.

Jacob Carrillo placed first in the district spelling bee.

Students from all over the county representing as top spellers at their school participated in the spelling bee held at the Sarracino Middle School auditorium. Words seemed to vary from simple compound words like catnap to complex ones like retinitis pigmentosa. Students who participated were recognized for their respectful behavior, the top two, Carrillo and Timur Aitbayev shook hands at the end of the spelling bee.

The spelling bee went for a total of thirteen rounds. Cabrillo battled five of those with eighth-grader, Aitbayev who placed second. Fourth-grader Brielle

Pallante, held her own for several rounds as well, placing third. All three students are from Cottonwood Valley Charter School. The three will go on to a virtual competition for a chance to compete in the state spelling bee.

Jessica Carranza Pino, Editor