Shenali DeSilva is the buzz of the bee; Pacelli student advances to southeast finals
Published 10:30 am Friday, February 13, 2015
Seventh-grader Shenali DeSilva (middle right) finished third at the regional spelling bee Tuesday in Rochester. She will now move on to the final spelling bee on Feb. 24 at the Southeast Service Cooperative. — Photo provided.
Pacelli Catholic Schools seventh-grader Shenali DeSilva is following her older brother’s footsteps in the spelling bee and is on her way to the regional spelling finals.
Shenali was one of 76 students to compete Tuesday in two regional spelling bees held at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. Students from 38 districts throughout southeast Minnesota advanced to compete in the Regional competitions coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.
The top 12 spellers (six from each spelling bee) now advance to the final spelling bee at 9 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Southeast Service Cooperative. The grand champion of the final bee will advance to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., from May 24.
Shenali’s older brother, Shane, advanced to the Scripps bee in D.C. last year. He was not eligible to compete this year.
Students advancing to the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee:
First place: Christine Farnberg, Rochester Catholic Schools, eighth grade
Second place: Teresa Nowakowski, Rochester Catholic Schools, eighth grade
Third place: Shenali DeSilva, Pacelli Catholic Schools, seventh grade
Fourth place: Greta Hillesheim, Bethlehem Academy, seventh grade
Fifth place: Zack Kromminga, Dover-Eyota Public Schools, seventh grade
Sixth place: Amelia Solum, Spring Grove Public Schools, seventh grade
Alternate 1: Kjersten Peterson, Lanesboro Public Schools, eighth grade
Alternate 2: Ethan Rollie, Kingsland Public Schools, eighth grade
Regional Spelling Bee at 1 p.m.
First place: Benjamin Lee, Byron Public Schools, seventh grade
Second place: Jonathan Wiese, Northfield Public Schools, eighth grade
Third place: Madeline Hansen, Pine Island Public Schools, sixth grade
Fourth place: Brynn Karstens, Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools, eighth grade
Fifth place: Brandon Rolandson, Byron Public Schools, seventh grade
Sixth place: Ryan Krumholz, St. Mary’s Owatonna, seventh grade
Alternate 1: Phu Tran, Red Wing Public Schools, seventh grade
Alternate 2: Mia Ikeda, Rochester Schaeffer Academy, seventh grade
