It took several rounds before the Carrollton City Schools 2023 Spelling Bee Champion was decided Thursday afternoon – with eighth grader Aadit Shah crowned this year’s district spelling bee champion.
Battling in the final rounds with runner-up Tyler Clotfelter, one of his eighth-grade peers, Aadit eventually claimed the victory when he correctly spelled “configuration.”
Tyler was a skilled challenger and will be the alternate speller at region if Aadit cannot compete. The Region 4 competition will be held next Feb. 25. The event is sponsored by the Carrollton Association of Educators, while the Georgia Association of Educators sponsors the region and state bees.
Before the final rounds, 10 grade-level winners and runners-up were set to compete, however fourth grader Hunter Chen was unable to compete. The other spellers who competed were Jovanni Recinos, fourth grade; Jack McGrath and Legend Owensby, fifth grade; Gray Esslinger and Grey Jackson, sixth grade; Micaiah Kelly and Terrence Miles, seventh grade; and alternate Tyler Clotfelter and champion Aadit Shah, eighth grade.
Volunteer Fae Kelley has officiated since her son, Thomas Cox, a graduate of Carrollton High School, was in junior high. Judges this year were Joe Lipham, Mayor Betty Cason, School Resource Officer Eddie Christmas, and Theresa Davis.
