In the news:
Two Pasadena ISD students compete in
Houston Chronicle Spelling Bee

Samantha Garcia, Queens Intermediate sixth grader, and Casen Bury, Bailey Elementary third grader, are going head-to-head with students from more than 1,200 other schools in east Texas in the annual Houston Chronicle Spelling Bee being held today at 1:30 p.m. 

Garcia was the District Spelling Bee champion with winning word lampoon and Bury was runner-up in the contest. They will both be representing Pasadena ISD in today's contest.

“I feel truly honored,” said Garcia’s reading teacher at Queens and her spelling bee coach Bonnie Huebel. “I am so proud of Samantha. I am so happy that she is only in the sixth grade and did so well not only at the campus level but at the district level as well.”

Huebel said she knows her student is prepared to do well in this contest.

“I think Samantha will do just fine because she has worked extremely hard,” said Huebel. “She is well prepared and definitely has the ability to win. This is an opportunity for her to learn that no matter how hard we work, there is always something greater in life that we can obtain. We should never be satisfied and always strive for more.”

Karin Polk, Bury’s third grade teacher, said she is very proud of him and his accomplishment.

“Casen is dedicated and hard-working,” she said. “He strives to be the best in everything he does. This opportunity teaches Casen about competing and the need to persevere in the Spelling Bee as well as with any challenges that come his way.”

Bury’s second grade teacher Maria Ward said it has been an honor to be his teacher.

“We hope his continual love of words and vocabulary comes from this experience and will help him to continue to be successful in the future,” said Ward. “He’s just an amazing student.”

The champion of the Houston Chronicle Spelling Bee will receive airline tickets for the winning speller and two parents and an expense paid trip to Washington D.C. in May to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winner will also receive the Merriam-Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged and The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award of a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, Series EE from Jay Sugarman. The Houston Chronicle has also sent a medal and winner certificate to each school winner. Each district and county winner will also be presented a prize from the Houston Chronicle at today’s spelling bee.

The following Pasadena ISD students were the spelling bee champions at their individual campuses and each competed in the district spelling bee: 

Derek M. Juarez, 10, Teague Elementary
Luis G. Aguirre, 9, Garfield Elementary
Ashton Litonjua, 10, Frazier Elementary
Jasmine Hernandez, 10, Jessup Elementary
Ilse Vielma, 11, Rick Schneider Middle
Samantha A. Garcia, 12, Queens Intermediate
Brandon Shantharaj, 10, Harvey Turner Elem.
Vanessa Gomez, 10, L.F. Smith Elementary
Tareen Kazi, 9, Meador Elementary
Annalicia Martinez, 10, Challenger Elementary
Christopher Gannaway, 10, Genoa Elementary
Brianna Horton, 11, Carter Lomax Middle
Vi Thao Le, 9, Morales Elementary
Emily Fair, 13, Bondy Intermediate
Jacob Balerio, 12, Fisher Elementary
Jacqueline Alonso, 9, Gardens Elementary
R. Vincente Rodulfo, 11, Beverly Hills
Syed Shahzar Ahmed, 11, Milstead Middle
Tina Nguyen, 10, Stuchbery Elementary
Jose Matus, 11, Morris Fifth Grade Center
Jennifer Macias, 10, Sparks Elementary
Isabel Abilez, 9, Red Bluff Elementary
Brynn Erin Dempsey, 8, Richard Moore Elem.
Angel Garcia, 12, Park View Intermediate
Jamal Khan, 13, Thompson Intermediate
Victoria Sandoval, 10, Young Elementary
Samantha Long, 11, Jensen Elementary
Heidi Tran, 10, Atkinston Elementary
Adam Hare, 10, Mae Smythe Elementary
Alicia Olivo, 10, Dezavala 5 th Grade Center
Luis Machain, 9, South Houston Elementary
Casen Bury, 9, Bailey Elementary
Mariana Triana, 10, Burnett Elementary
Eric Pena, 12, Jackson Intermediate
Doris Lopez, 11, J. D. Parks Elementary
Ana Perez, 10, Richey Elementary
Marcos Martinez, 9, South Shaver Elem.
Joaquin Ostos, 9, Kruse Elementary
Sapana Gautam, 9, Laura Bush Elementary
Oscar Rodriguez, 10, Williams Elementary
Arden R. Castillo, 12, Southmore Intermediate
Josiah McClure, 13, San Jacinto Intermediate
Priscilla Turrubiates, 13, South Houston Intermediate
Nicholas Garcia, 12, Miller Intermediate
Braulio Garcia, 9, McMasters Elementary
Ernesto Ramirez, 10, A.B. Freeman Elem.
Alexis Strech, 9, Golden Acres Elementary
Adrian Rosas, 8, Pomeroy Elementary

 

Back to News Releases home page