District 140 Spelling Bee Won by Samer Katib

Congratulations to District 140’s newest Spelling Bee Champion, Samer Katib, a fifth-grader from Fernway Park Elementary School, who clinched victory by correctly spelling “prototype.” Fourth-grader Olivia Mathew from Millennium Elementary School came in a close second. Third-place honors went to Bannes Elementary School's fifth-grader, Logan Zlabinger.

Samer will represent D140 in the Annual Suburban Cook County ISC Scripps Spelling Bee at Southland College Prep in Richton Park, IL, on Tuesday, March 3.

Competing in the spell-off were the top two building-level representatives from each of the district’s seven schools - 14 competitors from grades four through eight. D140 teachers Nicole Collins and Kate Robinson coordinated the competition.

“Watching students challenge themselves and support one another throughout the spelling bee is always rewarding,” said Ms. Collins. “This event reflects the strong academic foundation and enthusiasm for learning found across District 140,” added Ms. Robinson.

Runners-up included Ellie Juwayyid and Logan Zlabinger from Bannes Elementary; Raeda Khrewish from Fernway Park Elementary; Chloe Bender and Patrick Troy from Grissom Middle School; Nora Mikal and Tessa VanWormer from Keller Elementary; Jonathan Awadallah and Olivia Mathew from Millennium Elementary; and Fiora Harvey and Erin Turner from Prairie View Middle School.