IWA sixth grader advances to SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee

Claire Thomas, a sixth grader at Incarnate Word Academy Middle Level, placed first at the South Texas Regional Spelling Bee on Feb. 22 at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center.

Claire now advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in Washington, D.C. from May 25-31.

“I’m really excited and I hope that I do well,” Claire said.

Before placing first in the South Texas Regional Spelling Bee, Claire placed first in the IWA Middle Level Spelling Bee on Feb. 6.

This year wasn’t the first time Claire had placed in a school spelling bee. In 2013, Claire placed first in the IWA Elementary Level Spelling Bee. Claire said she had a lot of help from her elementary level spelling bee coaches, IWA teachers Sarah Smith and Yvette Rangel.

“They helped me a lot with learning how to spell words from different languages and origins,” Claire said.

Smith said she thinks it’s great that an IWA student won the regional spelling bee.

“It speaks volumes of her parents, teachers, and the guidance she has received so far in her education,” Smith said.

With the Scripps National Spelling Bee around the corner, Claire said studying is important.

“I’m going to be studying really hard,” Claire said.