Livermore Students Advance To County Spelling Bee Competitions

LIVERMORE, CA — Four students in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District have advanced to compete in the Alameda County Elementary and Middle School Spelling Bees after placing first and second in the LVJUSD competitions.

"These students have truly impressed us with their spelling prowess. We wish them the best of luck as they prepare to compete at the next level,” Superintendent Kelly Bowers said in a statement.

Sunil Sajja, a fifth grader at Altamont Creek Elementary, beat 29 other competitions for first place after 13 rounds in the LVJUSD Elementary Spelling Bee. He won by correctly spelling "chevalier."

Isabela Jerosin-Raja, a fifth grader at Smith Elementary, placed second.

Sheehan Krishna, an eighth grader from Joe Michell K-8, received first place at the LVJUSD Middle School Spelling Bee after spelling "rhetorical."

Mendenhall Middle School eighth grader Isaac Yee placed second.

Both competitions included judging panels made up from district staff and community members including Dawn Argula, CEO of the Livermore Chamber of Commerce; Carolyn Siegfried, Executive Director of the Pedrozzi Foundation; and Mary Sweeney, Board Member of SPARC.

The next round for the spelling bees will take place March 12 at Dublin High School.