SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee School Level “BEE”yond Proud in Secaucus - Students in grades 1 through 5 from Huber Street and Clarendon Schools 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 nine decades! 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. Over 300 dedicated students in grades 1 through 5 from Huber Street and Clarendon Schools in Secaucus, New Jersey have become a part of this unique experience by participating in preliminary spelling bees. HUBER STREET SCHOOL FINALISTS First Grade Students: Shrihan Akuraju, Aaryan Shah, Japman Arora and Rian Talati (not pictured: Nyesha Gupta) Second Grade Students: Grace Kassa Beyene, Erli Kormi Aggor, Kritika Goel, Saanvi Mehta and Emerich DeGuzman. Third Grade Students: Jaden Almazar, Gia Antala, Miles Fajardo, Anika Samita and Sai Sudha. Fourth Grade Students: Janki Bairoliya, Richa Choudhary, Simran Bhatla, Meenakshi Oberoi and Shrikha Akuraju. Fifth Grade Students: Shivali Chainani, Kartikeya Goel, Rashi Jakhotiya, Ambika Rao Sana Tilak, Anika Antala, Florianne Arnado and Gautam Bade. On Friday, January 19, 2018, twenty-seven skilled finalists competed at the Huber Street School Spelling Bee. Winners are as follows: PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Simran Bhatla Third Place Grade 4 Sana Tilak Huber Street School’s Spelling Bee Champion - First Place Grade 5 Gautam Bade Second Place Grade 5 Our Spelling Bee Champions from both schools, Sana Tilak and Shreeya Inamdar, will continue their journey and will compete on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at The Hudson County Spelling Bee. The Bee will be held at the Arthur Couch Performing Arts Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.