This year's annual district-wide spelling bee was held on January 11, 2023, at Indio High School’s Performing Arts Center. There were a total of 21 participants ranging from fourth to eighth grade. This year's spelling bee began with Dylan Le, the first place winner from 2022, leading the pledge of allegiance.
Usually spelling bees can go on forever with each round of words getting harder and harder. This year's contest lasted 14 rounds, with the winning word being “botany”. The first place winner this year was Dylan Le, an eighth grader at Palm Desert Charter Middle School. And second place was Nirvaan Nettimi, a fourth grader at Washington Charter Elementary School.
Dylan is no stranger to winning though, he had previously won the annual spelling bee in 2019, 2020, and 2022, with the 2021 event being canceled due to COVID-19.
Nirvaan had this to say at the January 17 Board of Education Meeting, "Hi, my name is Nirvaan Nettimi and I am a 4th grader at Washington Charter School. My favorite sport is tennis and I practice it every day. I hope to be #1 in tennis someday. I also play guitar and want to keep getting better at it as I grow up. My favorite subject is math. I also enjoy reading mystery and comedy books. I entered the Spelling Bee because I wanted to show people my skills and I also wanted to challenge myself to win. I studied words almost every day and my mom helped me by giving me practice tests."
When the contest was over each student participant was asked to return on stage where they received a participation trophy for their efforts. Dylan left with the first place trophy, and Nirvaan with the second place trophy.
Win or lose, DSUSD is still extremely proud of each of our young spellers for their hard work and dedication in this year’s spelling bee! Congratulations to all.