County’s best spellers head to bee

For one exceptional speller, months of studying will pay off Saturday.

Twenty-seven fifth- through eighth-graders have qualified to compete in the 30th annual Douglas County Spelling Bee at Wildlife Safari.

Three students are making return trips to the bee.

Chelsea Spencer is making her fourth and final appearance. The eighth-grader has represented Oakland schools at the bee since 2004.

Daniel Standley, an eighth-grader at Winston Middle School, and Riley Lavin, a sixth-grader at McGovern Elementary School in Winston, are both back for a second year.

The spelling bee brings students from 22 public schools, two private schools and one home school together for a chance at the top prize.

Students will compete for a new computer, trophies and other prizes. Each will receive a district winner trophy for making it to the county event. Prior to the competition, the students participated in classroom and school spelling bees.

Doug Freeman, principal at Joseph Lane Middle School in Roseburg, will pronounce the words for the competition. Kevin Rigney, general manager of The Phone Source, will act as master of ceremonies. Judges will be Evan Kruse, News-Review Internet product manager, Renee Helvie, Creative Services manager, and Teresa Williams, education reporter.

Coordinating the event is Amy McMaster, News-Review legal notices clerk.

Contestants for the 2006 spelling bee are:

• Kristin Potter, a sixth-grader at Joseph Lane Middle School in Roseburg

• Aubree Admire, a seventh-grader at Fremont Middle School in Roseburg

• Tommy Lavin, a fifth-grader at Eastwood Elementary School in Roseburg

• Mikaela Crabtree, a fifth-grader at Sunnyslope Elementary School in Roseburg

• Raluca Gosman, a fifth-grader at Melrose Elementary School

• Kira VanDyk, a fifth-grader at Hucrest Elementary School in Roseburg

• Cheyanne Newhouse, a fifth-grader at Fullerton IV Elementary School in Roseburg

• Lars Gunderson, a seventh-grader at Joseph Lane Middle School

• Elise Ewens, a sixth-grade home school student in Roseburg

• Justin Wade, a seventh-grader at Glide Middle School

• Sam Stadter, a sixth-grader at St. Paul Lutheran School in Roseburg

• Riley Lavin, a sixth-grader at McGovern Elementary School in Winston

• Daniel Standley, an eighth-grader at Winston Middle School

• Sydnie Denn, a sixth-grader at West Intermediate School in Sutherlin

• Cammie Oliveira, a seventh-grader at Coffenberry Middle School in Myrtle Creek

• Scott Van Atta, a seventh-grader at Coffenberry Middle School

• Michael O’Sullivan, a fifth-grader at Myrtle Creek Elementary School

• Brady Gheer, a fifth-grader at Camas Valley Elementary School

• Alexx Senters, an eighth-grader at North Douglas Middle School in Drain

• Rachel Peters, a seventh-grader at Glendale Junior/Senior High School

• Holly Hart, a seventh-grader at Umpqua Valley Christian School in Winston

• David Rethwill, a sixth-grader at West Intermediate School in Sutherlin

• Laleyna Vail, a seventh-grader at Highland Junior High School in Reedsport

• James Hixembaugh, a sixth-grader at Highland Elementary School in Reedsport

• Wesley Hammersley, a fifth-grader at Riddle Elementary School

• Chelsea Spencer, an eighth-grader at Lincoln Middle School in Oakland

• Hank Short, an eighth-grader at Yoncalla Elementary School