The Norman Transcript

Local news

Discussion

March 11, 2013

Norman student to compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee

By Jessica Bruha The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — A Norman middle school student has a goal for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May: to get to the semi-finals.

Cole Shafer-Ray, a sixth-grader at Alcott Middle School, outspelled 39 students in 26 rounds to take home the gold Saturday at the Central Oklahoma Spelling Bee at the University of Oklahoma.

“I’m very, very excited. This is my third try,” Shafer-Ray said Sunday. “I’ve been competing for state since fourth grade.”

Shafer-Ray won the bee by spelling the word “phlox,” which is a type of flower, he said. While it was probably one of the hardest words, he said other words that challenged him included “peculate” and “dowager.”

The sixth-grader said he has been participating in spelling bees since second grade and thanks his family for helping him study. He wanted to thank his mom, dad, brother, his fifth-grade teacher and his grandparents for reading him his lists.

Now he plans on continuing to study his lists of spelling bee words to meet his goal to reach the semi-final rounds during the national competition.

In addition to taking home the winning trophy Saturday, Shafer-Ray also was awarded with a copy of Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, a year’s subscription to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia, a two-night stay in an Oklahoma state park and the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award.

According to the Scripps National Spelling Bee website, the champion of the bee could receive an engraved trophy, a cash prize, a savings bond, scholarship money, a lifetime membership to Britannica Online, an online language course and more.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local news
  • Sooners will rematch Razorbacks in regional title game today

    It’s a rematch on tap today at Marita Hynes Field. Top-ranked Oklahoma will face No. 24 Arkansas in the NCAA softball regional championship a day after downing the Razorbacks 10-5 in the second round of the regional tournament....

    May 19, 2013

  • May rainfall below needed levels in state

    Norman residents looking for dry days to mow yards may think spring rains are coming frequently, but experts say those rains are less than central Oklahoma needs to pull itself out of the three-year-long drought. Lake Thunderbird’s ...

    May 19, 2013

  • J.D. McCarty Center hosts open house for Camp ClapHans

    The excitement of summer camp is no longer off limits to local children with special needs, thanks to J.D. McCarty Center’s upcoming Camp ClapHans....

    May 19, 2013

  • Riverwind Casino to host blood drive

    Riverwind Casino invites everyone to give blood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. The blood drive is one of 10 hosted by local casinos teaming up to support the Oklahoma Blood Institute during May....

    May 19, 2013

  • CCGS to host archivist

    The Cleveland County Genealogical Society will welcome Jan Davis, administrative archivist for the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the south lobby of the Community Services Building at 12th Avenue NE and East Main ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Cleveland County 4-H summer workshops

    The Cleveland County Extension Office will host nearly 50 workshops throughout the summer. Workshops include photography, clay modeling, geocaching, kayaking and fishing. The workshops and field trips associated with the 4-H Youth ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp starts this month

    The sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp at the Whittier Recreation Center runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 29 through June 31 for ages 6-12. All camps are co-ed. The deadline to sign up is Thursday....

    May 19, 2013

  • Gov. Fallin impressed with Oklahoma wines

    The Oklahoma Grape Industry Council is partnering with Gov. Mary Fallin to help promote Oklahoma wines....

    May 19, 2013

  • New salon offers unique educational opportunity

    The Andrew Freeman Creative Studio recently opened in Norman and is offering Oklahomans unique and rare educational opportunities....

    May 19, 2013

  • Norman Chamber to host two events Wednesday

    If you live in Norman but work in Oklahoma City, the Norman Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the next 35 South Luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Bricktown Brewery, 1 N. Oklahoma Ave. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Keynote ...

    May 19, 2013