Congratulations to the 2024 Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Spelling Bee winner Francisco Rodriguez of Edwards Middle School and runner-up Wynter Foster of Conyers Middle School! Rodriguez's winning words came straight from science class - "embryo" and "phenotype." Rodriguez and Foster will advance to represent RCPS in the regional bee in February.
Fifteen contestants, each representing an elementary or middle school in RCPS, faced off in the RCPS Spelling Bee held January 18, 2024, at Edwards Middle School. This was the first year that third graders could participate in the Bee and the first year the district Spelling Bee had contestants as young as third grade.
Rodriguez, an eigth grader, said he was nervous on stage and a little bit frustrated because he felt like he ended up getting difficult words. However, towards the end, he said, "I was excited because I knew it was me and (Wynter) so regardless I was going to the regionals."
To prepare, he studied the Spelling Bee words with his aunt. "I went over the pages last night with my aunt and tried to remember as much as I could." He added, "I don’t read a lot but I pay attention in my classes and try my best when it comes to academic things."
Foster, a sixth grader, said she was praying while she was on stage. She said she enjoys reading, mostly fiction. To prepare for the Bee, she looked up spelling guidelines and ways to remember tricky spellings.
The district Bee's judges were former Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, Gen. Ray Davis Middle School teacher Christie Hernandez, and Digital Learning Specialist Joshua Dyer. This year's announcer was RCPS Teacher of the Year Dr. Christie Davis-Langston of Flat Shoals Elementary. RCPS Spelling Bee organizers included ELA and World Languages Coordinator Dr. Sha'Ronda McRae and Literacy Coach Trinecia Ward.
Thank you to our judges, organizers, coaches, and families for all your hard work! And a big round of applause for all our phenomenal spellers who participated! It takes courage to be on stage and compete and we are incredibly proud of all our contestants.
2024 RCPS Spelling Bee Contestants (in order pictured on stage, pictured below):
Andreius Mosley (HTE),
Laura-Michael Simmons (FSE),
Wynter Foster (CMS),
Cayden Smith (SCE),
Cameron Moore (BES),
Kendyll Benett (JHH),
Harmony Jordan (HCE),
Micah Tench (PCE),
Ansleigh London (PSE),
Dilynn Donald (SES),
Gabrielle Phifer (LES),
Francisco Rodriguez (EMS),
Chelsea Oyerinde (DMS),
Karis Griffths (CJH),
William Nozart (MMS).
Pictured below left to right: 2024 RCPS Spelling Bee Announcer and RCPS Teacher of the Year Dr. Christi Davis-Langston of Flat Shoals Elementary; Bee Organizer Literacy Coach Trinecia Ward; 2024 RCPS Spelling Bee Runner-Up Wynter Foster of Conyers Middle School; 2024 RCPS Spelling Bee Winner Francisco Rodriguez; Bee judges former Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, Gen. Ray Davis Middle School Teacher Christie Hernandez, Digital Learning Specialist Joshua Dyer; Bee organizer ELA and World Languages Coordinator Dr. Sha'Ronda McRae.
Pictured below: 2024 RCPS Spelling Bee winner Francisco Rodriguez of EMS and runner-up Wynter Foster of CMS.
