McKnight Wins FSD3 Spelling Bee

Posted on 01/23/2020

Kristan McKnight, an eighth grader from J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, battled other students from throughout Florence School District 3 for 16 rounds before correctly spelling “sanitized” to win FSD3’s spelling bee Thursday, January 23.

McKnight will represent FSD3 in the Pee Dee Regional Spelling Bee February 3 at Francis Marion University. The regional winner will go on to compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Messiah McFadden-Figgures, a seventh grader at Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership, finished as first-runner-up and Quincy Davis, also an eighth grader at Ronald E. McNair, was second runner-up.

The top three spellers in grades 3-8 from each school-level spelling bee competed in the district spelling bee. J. C. Lynch Elementary School, Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy, J. Paul Truluck Magnet School and Dr. Ronald E. McNair School were all represented in the competition.

The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee. Now, 90 years later, their literacy effort reaches 11 million students each year. The purpose of the spelling is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives.

Image of second runner-up trophy presentation
Image of first runner-up trophy presentation
Image of first place trophy presentation