Taberna Wins Culbertson’s Spelling Title

The word symphony was music to Jaclynne Taberna’s ears at the Culbertson spelling bee for fourth through eighth grade students on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

After spelling the word symphony correctly, the seventh-grade student was congratulated for winning the title of the competition. With tears of joy in her eyes, Taberna raced to her grandmother Bev Raaum to deliver a big hug.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” the student later said. Going into the bee, her goal was to qualify for the county event.

She has been practicing for the spelling bee with her grandmother each night for the last two weeks.

Raaum, who qualified for the county bee back when she was a student, said it was fitting that symphony was the winning word since Jaclynne’s mother is the school’s band director.

“I was confident in her, absolutely,” Raaum said.

Taberna along with past school champion Anna Steppler and her younger brother, Parker Steppler, were the only three contestants during three straight rounds. Then, Taberna and A. Steppler each spelled words correctly the next two rounds.

A. Steppler, an eighth-grader, placed second and Parker Steppler, a sixth-grader, earned third place.

Flint Solum placed fourth and Sander Williams was fifth.

Other students competing were Noah Fox, Ally Simonsen, Aeryn Ator, Ella Anderson, Kovawn Red Eagle, Bode Cullinan, Ava Poser, Ava Henry, Tyson Taylor, Leddy Anderson, Huck Anderson, Remington Smith, Mckinley Rhodes, Jackson Laber, Shianne Byrd, Emma Sorenson, Hadley Miller, Logan Primeau and Alannah Wasley.

The top four spellers from Culbertson advanced to the county bee, which is scheduled for Feb. 27 starting at 1 p.m. in Froid.