William Parry, 8th grade student, became the Marana Unified School District’s spelling bee champion in the 19th round. After a spell off between the final two spellers, the Marana Middle School student correctly spelled the final word “cohesive” after respelling the word “jalapeño” which was spelled incorrectly by his opponent. 

The top thirty-one spellers, ranging from fourth to eighth grade, competed for the title of Spelling Bee Champion at the Marana Unified School District’s Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 6:00pm in the auditorium at Marana High School, 12000 W. Emigh Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743. 

William Parry will be joined by the next three top contestants, and alternate, at the Pima County Spelling Bee to be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10:00am at Catalina High School Auditorium, 3645 E Pima St, Tucson, AZ 85716.

1st Place: William Parry, Marana Middle School, 8th grade

2nd Place: Ruby Maldonado, Coyote Trail Elementary, 5th grade

3rd Place: Matthew Rohen-Trapp, Marana Middle School, 7th grade

4th Place: Sebastian Smith, Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8 School, 6th grade

5th Place/Alternate: Shannon Deyo, Estes Elementary S