MANSFIELD — Every student who competed in this year’s Richland County 3rd Grade Spelling Bee got a free T-shirt with an important message on the back:
You are loved. You are unique. You are special.
The 10th annual Richland County 3rd Grade Spelling Bee took place last week at Madison Middle School. The annual competition has been a celebration of literacy and community since 2017.
Case Harris of St. Peter’s Elementary School took first place. Aria Brooks of Mifflin Elementary was the runner-up. Gabriel Mulherin, also a St. Peter’s student, earned a third-place finish.
“We were very proud of them. They work super hard,” said St. Peter’s Principal Ashley Rastorfer. “They put in a lot of time and effort.”
Rastorfer credited the students’ success to the hard work and dedication of students and their teacher, Amber Oswald, as well as the support and involvement of parents.
“We are proud of Aria and her determination leading up to the bee,” added Nathan Stump, principal of Mifflin Elementary School.
“She and her family prepared very thoroughly, and it is through her diligence and goal-setting that propelled her to do so well,” Stump said. “We are excited to see what is in store for Aria as she continues to impress us every day.”
Approximately 75 students from across Richland County qualified to participate, according to bee organizer Linda Burrage.
“Everybody learned how to spell tenacious. Because they are,” she said.
Students from 10 schools participated, including scholars from Madison South Elementary, Mansfield Spanish Immersion, Discover School, Eastview Elementary School, Mifflin Elementary School, Shelby Elementary School, Foundation Academy, Stingel Elementary, St. Peter’s School and St. Mary of the Snows Catholic School.
The winning word was drawers.
Burrage founded the bee 10 years ago while working as a substitute teacher. The event always includes refreshments for families and a goodie bag for every speller.
“It’s for the children,” she said. “It’s for our community.
“I was teaching third grade and I thought, ‘we needed to give them something to do.’
“The spelling bee isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about literacy, community building and fostering the successful futures of these students.”
Burrage said the bee is her way of doing her part in a world where teachers are overworked and underpaid.
“Everybody has to come together to make it work,” she said. “With a little help, we can educate our kids.”
The bee was made possible by a laundry list of community donations and helping hands, including an event committee.
Burrage said she is grateful to the school principals, teachers and community members and businesses who helped make this Mansfield-Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee a success.
“There’s no way I could pull this off by myself. We have a lot of volunteers,” Burrage said. “Nobody gets paid.”
Meijer and Jones Potato Chips provided refreshments for everyone who attended the bee. McDonalds and Sol Froyo Yogurt Bar & Creamery provided refreshment for all the contestants.
Other donations supported the cost of prizes and goodie bags for participants. Every contestant received a t-shirt and a goodie bag.
Donors included several churches, the Richland County Foundation, KM&M Accounting Firm, Meijer, Park National Bank, Mechanics Bank, Sutton Bank, Kohl’s, United Steel Works Local 169, K.E.M. & Associates, Altrusa, Bishop Insurance Services, Laborers LIUNA Local 1216, OhioHealth’s West Oncology Unit, Crystal Care Nursing Home, ABC Warehouse, Arby’s, School Specialty, Cinemark 14, Five Below, Skyline Chili, Starbucks Coffee Store #2793, Long John Silver’s, Penn Station, Pumpkin Seed Bulk Food, UMADAOP, QRA Computer Services, Ginny Corso, Patricia Pride, Meredith Howell, Susan M. Lehr and Linda Burrage.