E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-C-E.

It is amazing what spelling can do for the vocabulary for a child, and at Edgewood Elementary School excellence can be achieved through spelling.

Each year the school’s fourth-and fifth-grade students compete to become champions of the Edgewood’s Spelling Bee.

“They learn new concepts,” said Adrienne Lee, reading coach at Edgewood. “They learn the origin of words and of course it helps with their spelling and vocabulary.”

This year winners were Kayla Harris (first place), Maya Salone (second place) and Diamond Hayes (third place.)

The students prepared for more than a month, practicing with a list of vocabulary words ranging from first-grade level to eighth-grade.

“ I studied 10 words a night each night,” said Hayes. “And everyday during computer lab I would study.”

Said Salone, “I studied them when I was typing them on a computer. And I would study them by just reading and when I was at home and at the computer lab.”

Although their styles of studying were different, the two students worked hard and learned to become better spellers.

“It’s something we really take pride in here,” said Lee. “Last year we were the only elementary school in Selma that offered a spelling bee. It’s such a great educational opportunity, that we are just excited each year to hold it.”

As much fun as a spelling bee is for the children, they can also test the nerves of the students.

“I felt nervous before spelling each word,” said Salone. “But I just got up and said the word and then I when I was done it was a relief.”

As first-and second-place finishers, Harris and Salone now get to compete in the Dallas County spelling bee.

“It’s gonna be fun for them, “ said Lee. “We will all help them prepare once school starts back. We hope they can finish first and second again.”