WADENA — After 25 transformative rounds, seventh grader Noah Drange won the Wadena-Deer Creek spelling bee on Jan. 24. He finished with the word, “cocoon.”
Drange, son of Stephanie and Paul Drange, started his spelling bee journey three years ago. For the past two years, he came close to winning against Chloe Leeseberg in tight rounds. With 12 back and forth rounds between Drange and Corabeth Curtis, Drange said he felt confident without many nerves.
“This year it just feels very rewarding and gratifying to win,” Drange said in an email to the Pioneer Journal. “I really just enjoy the atmosphere and gauging how smart you are against other people your age.”
He studied for about a week leading up to the spelling bee, including tests by his mom, with increased studying the days prior to the bee. Drange recommends lots of studying if you’re interested in the spelling bee.
A total of 17 students in grades 5-8 qualified for the WDC spelling bee: McKenna Brauch, Kamryn Braun, Cayden Clark, Corabeth Curtis, Noah Drange, McKenna Dunbar, Nevaehleigh Flanery, Karlie Geiger, Ellie Goldberg, Karly Haverkamp, Brynnley Kempenich, Lily Peterson, Bella Petro, Celia Rinio, Bella Seiwert, Venkatsai Teja Nara and Chance Zephier. With some unforeseen circumstances, 12 students competed at the bee.
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“Spelling Bee is always enjoyable to see who can keep their composure and spell these crazy words!!” Lori Grendahl said in an email. She is the spelling bee coordinator, sixth grade teacher and National Honor Society co-advisor.
Drange has a few weeks to rest his wings before competing at the Regional Spelling Bee at Sourcewell on March 23.
