Port Jeff Student Makes a Bee-Line For Regional Spelling Competition

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, hexameter is a lyrical term used to describe “a line of verse consisting of six metrical feet.” Ten-year old Gavin Chambers might not get the chance to use the word everyday but he sure as heck knows how to spell it.

Gavin took on 17 other fourth and fifth graders at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School on Jan. 13 for the chance to represent the school at the Long Island Regional Scripps Spelling Bee on March 18 at Hofstra University. Before the spelling bee, these elementary students intensely studied spelling words some of which were on an eighth-grade vocabulary level.

With that one word, Gavin, who is in fourth grade, won the competition held at the school and will now face 100 other spelling bee competitors from around Long Island. The winner of the Long Island regional bee moves on to complete nationwide in the Howard Scripps Spelling Bee in held in Washington, D.C.