SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee School Level Students in grades 1 through 5 from Huber Street School embarked upon a shared journey full of hard work, determination and the opportunity to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime. This journey is the Scripps National Spelling Bee! The Scripps National Spelling Bee is one of the nation's oldest and most iconic competitions, and this year marks the 92nd year! The purpose of the SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee is not only to help students improve their spelling, but also to increase their vocabularies, improve writing skills, public speaking and poise, and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives. Hundreds of dedicated students in grades 1 through 5 from Clarendon School in Secaucus, New Jersey have become a part of this unique experience by preparing for the event. The preparation included the study of 450 words and definitions. The words ranged from first through eighth grade. Additionally, students studied another 1,150 words derived from Latin, Arabic, French, German, Dutch, Old English, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Asian, Slavic and New World Languages within the Merriam Webster Spell It Booklet. Our preliminary spelling bees were held from Friday, January 10, 2020 through Tuesday, January 14, 2020. Pronouncing in our Pajamas! On Thursday, January 16, 2020, 32 finalists from grades 1 through 5 will take the floor to compete in the 2020 SCRIPPS Spelling Bee school finals. Our finalists include: FIRST GRADE Innaya Faraz Akash Raaj Shreya Venugopal Harshika Gupta Ivy Jia Advik Suri THIRD GRADE Ranvir Bhardwaj Joshua Camis Rian Talati Khalid Alnabtiti Danika Zlotowicz SECOND GRADE Prisha Chandak Jasrina Kaur Aarti Khanna Kevin Rao Ranbir Bhatla Aliya Tauthong FOURTH GRADE Lailanni Cruz Mumen Hassan Isatou Hydara Grace Kassa Beyene Saanvi Mehta Aditya Raaj Erli Aggor Emerich De Guzman FIFTH GRADE Pavel Banzaraktsaev Alishba Faraz Jacinda Pun Anay Shah Riya Bhardwaj Anisha Desai Salimata Hydara Our remaining finalists went on to tirelessly compete on Thursday, January 16, 2020, for grand total of 25 astounding rounds! Fine sportsmanship was exhibited by all participants. We are proud to present the 2020 winners: Third Place Mrs. Hackel’s 5th Grade Class Riya Bhardwaj Second Place Mrs. Hackel’s 5th Grade Class Anisha Desai First Place Huber Street School’s 2020 Spelling Bee Champion Mrs. Curry’s 4th Grade Class Grace Kassa Beyene Our Spelling Bee Champion Grace Kassa Beyene, will continue her journey and will compete on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at The Hudson County Spelling Bee. This county-wide event will be held at the Arthur Couch Performing Arts Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. In the event of inclement weather, the bee will be held on March 7, 2020.