San Andreas, CA…On February 12, 2025, the Calaveras River Academy/Mountain Oaks gymnasium was filled with energy and anticipation as the 54th Annual Calaveras County Spelling Championship took place. This year’s competition featured talented spellers from six local schools: Avery Middle School, Bear Valley Elementary, Copperopolis Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Sierra Hills Education Center, and Toyon Middle School.

The event, organized by the Calaveras County Office of Education (CCOE), brought together sixth to eighth graders from across the county to showcase their spelling skills. The top two winners from 7th and 8th grade levels secured spots at the State Spelling Bee. The event culminated in an exciting finale where the top spellers fought to claim victory in an increasingly difficult battle of words.

Students were awarded first, second, and third place plaques across the three grade levels, with first-place winners receiving a $50 cash prize sponsored by Bank of Stockton. A new addition to this year’s competition was an additional $50 award for the overall top speller. Cailin Holdsworth, a 7th grader from Toyon, was the top overall speller at this year’s event. This year’s competition included words such as ‘prestigious’, ‘genuine’, and ‘reminisce,’ pushing the spellers to their limits.

The top 7th and 8th grade spellers will move on to represent Calaveras County at the State Spelling Bee. These talented students are 7th grader Cailin Holdsworth from Toyon Middle School and 8th grader Charley Imlach from Avery Middle School.

Jared Hungerford moderated the event, guiding the competitors through each round, with words becoming more difficult as the bee progressed. Contestants had 15 seconds to spell each word and could make up to four incorrect attempts before being disqualified.

CCOE’s Coordinator of Communications and Student Events Debbie Strand, praised the high level of competition, stating, “The dedication and enthusiasm of the spellers was evident throughout the event. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of scholars excel.”

The event was made possible by generous local sponsors, including Bank of Stockton, Calaveras Community Foundation, Adventist Health Sonora, Dignity Health, Angels-Murphy Rotary, and Middletons.
For more details and images from the event, visit www.ccoe.k12.ca.us/spellingbee.

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54th Annual Calaveras County

SPELLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb 12, 2025 • Calaveras River Academy/Mountain Oaks

6th Grade Winners

1st Place Skyla Hackett
School Avery Middle School

2nd Place Alexander Posadas
School Toyon Middle School

3rd Place Sage Smith
School Bear Valley Elementary

7th Grade Winners

1st Place Cailin Holdsworth
School Toyon Middle School

2nd Place Tommy Pratt
School Avery Middle School

3rd Place Brianna Rodriquez
School Avery Middle School

8th Grade Winners

1st Place Charley Imlach
School Avery Middle School

2nd Place Lily Davidson
School Toyon Middle School

3rd Place Xeo Ide
School Toyon Middle School

Overall Winner – Top Speller

Cailin Holdsworth
Toyon Middle School

TOP TWO WINNERS GOING TO STATE

Name Cailin Holdsworth
School Toyon Middle School

Name Charley Imlach
School Avery Middle School