A Don Julian Elementary second-grader, Joseph Valdez, battled 10 rounds as one
of the last three contestants in the Bassett Unified Spelling Bee’s kindergarten through second-grade competition until just one thing stood between him and first place: The word “penalty.”
of the last three contestants in the Bassett Unified Spelling Bee’s kindergarten through second-grade competition until just one thing stood between him and first place: The word “penalty.”
Valdez began to spell, paused, and restarted – sparking an immediate inquiry by the judges over
contest protocol. Satisfied that his pause did not violate National Spelling Bee rules, they
awarded him the coveted first-place prize.
“I was nervous, but it was fun!” Valdez said.
Valdez competed against 11 students from Don Julian Elementary, Sunkist Elementary, Van Wig
Elementary, Edgewood Academy and Torch Middle School in the District Spelling Bee held
January 24th at Torch Middle School’s Watanabe Center.
One competition was held for students in kindergarten through second grade and another for
third through eighth grade.
In the second competition, fourth-grader Chelsea Xu took first place after getting to round 28
against two other opponents and spelling “leaflet” for the win. Xu will advance to the Los
Angeles County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee at North Hollywood High School on Saturday,
March 9th.
“It’s a great feeling, knowing that all of my practice and studying is what made it possible for me
to win,” Xu said. “I am going to have to study a lot more for the next one.”
Xu will be joined by the first-place winners from each Bassett campus Bee held in December.
(See lists of winners below.) Students who qualified for the District Spelling Bee were the first,
second and third-place winners for their campus Bee.
Science Fair Coordinator Belinda Puente, an Early Literacy Specialist at Bassett Unified, said the
competition brings out the best in students.
“Students develop their spelling skills, vocabulary knowledge and speaking skills through this
event,” Puente said. “We are proud of the hard work the students, families, and teachers have
invested in preparing for this event, and thankful to Bassett Unified for supporting our student’s
achievements.”
“Bassett Unified is committed to empowering our students to be successful. We are proud of
our students’ demonstration of perseverance and courage,” Superintendent Debra French said.
“We thank both our staff and students for their dedication and wish them continued success as
they compete at the next level.”
PHOTOS:
Top: Don Julian Elementary second-grader Joseph Valdez (center),
second-grade student Sergio Marquez (right) from Van Wig and first-grade student Riyana
Shafeeq (left) from Van Wig receive their trophies and stand alongside their spelling bee
competitors for a round of applause.
Bottom: Fourth-grade student Chelsea Xu from Van Wig (center) and fourthgrade student Edison Lee (right) from Sunkist will move on to the Los Angeles County Scripps
Regional Spelling Bee in March.
BASSETT UNIFIED SPELLING BEE WINNERS
Kindergarten to second grade
• First place: Joseph Valdez, second grade, Don Julian
• Second place: Sergio Marquez, second grade, Van Wig
• Third place, Riyana Shafeeq, first grade, Van Wig
Third through eighth grade
• First place: Chelsea Xu, fourth grade, Van Wig (also campus winner)
• Second place: Alesha Shafeeq, third grade, Van Wig
• Third place: Edison Lee, fourth grade, Sunkist (also campus winner)
Additional campus first-place winners
• Pedro Rojas from Don Julian
• Stephanie Galvez from Torch
• John Barreto from Edgewood