Mendoza Wins Title In Wolf Point’s Spelling Bee
From Last To First
In one year’s time, Wolf Point eighth-grader Caitlin Mendoza went from last place to earning top honors at the school district’s spelling bee.
Mendoza, a Wolf Point student for the second year, struggled with a bit of a communication problem and dropped out in the first round of last year’s spelling bee. This year, she didn’t spell a single word incorrectly.
“I was surprised because I took last place last year,” an excited Mendoza said after the competition. “I was nervous at first until I got the hang of it.”
Her winning word was psyche. Mendoza’s mother is a sixth-grade teacher in Wolf Point’s school system.
Also placing in the competition were Deklyn Lilley in second place, Aurora Big Horn in third, Freya Red Elk in fourth, Hope Pipestem in fifth and Tayven Bauer in sixth.
Of the 32 competitors, 17 were out after the first round. Another seven missed their words in the second round.
There were five students left heading into the fourth round. Mendoza was the only student who spelled her word correctly in that round.
Other students in the bee were Preslie Jackson, Adaliyah Budak, Randolph Onstead, Amara Peterson, Daylin Rush, Dallas Fourstar, Rhyse White Horse, Draeson Eakins, Athena Brown, Malin Turcotte, Gabe Alonso, Mia Martell, Skye Fast Horse, Dominick Eymard, Kiara Russell, Kimberly Finley, Rylan Campbell, Gunner Azure, Ziggy St. Germaine, Raider Welch, Kaleb Bear, Kevin Belgarde, Sundance Standing Rock, Angel Schindler, Jazlynn Eakins and Arrec Pipe.
