Maximus Katsoulis Spells His Way to Washington, D.C.

When Maximus Katsoulis successfully spelled soirée, he became the Multi-Region State Champion and earned an all-expense paid trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Maximus, an 8^th grader from Blackduck High School, stated “studying was very important” as he prepared for the Spelling Bee.  He spent about 48 hours studying for this event. The words turned out to be a fun challenge for Maximus as he worked his way through 15 rounds of difficult words against nineteen other talented spellers from throughout the state.  A few additional words that Maximus mastered included cauterize, trepanation and sheldrake. 

Jaden Go, a 6^th grader at Sacred Heart School, in East Grand Forks, earned first runner-up honors as he successfully spelled kiva and quotidian in addition to other very challenging words.

All twenty spellers continued to demonstrate talent and poise as they worked their way through the language of origin, alternate pronunciations, and definitions.  Monica Thompson, the State Spelling Bee Coordinator, commented, “I was not the only person impressed by the talents of these students.  The entire audience was amazed as they witnessed these students spelling words many had never heard of.  The state bee is very exciting, but it is also bittersweet because we can send only one speller to the National Bee.  All twenty spellers would represent our state very well.” 

The Multi-Region State Spelling Bee is sponsored by Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Fergus Falls Region; Northeast Service Cooperative, Mt. Iron Region; Northwest Service Cooperative, Thief River Falls Region; Resource Training and Solutions, Sartell Region; and Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative, Marshall Region. 

The Pronouncer for the State Bee is Cris Oehler and officials were Dustin Steenblock, Phyllis Rossow, Vicki Hanneman and Mary Phillipe and Bee Assistant Jolene King.

We all send our best wishes to Maximus as he advances to the National Bee.