Twelve spellers (six from each Regional Spelling Bee) competed in the Final Spelling Bee on Tuesday, March 23, at 9 a.m. at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. These 12 students were narrowed down from 36 students from 20 districts in Southeast Minnesota who participated in the two Regional Spelling Bees on March 9, 2021, coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.
Isaac Ahn, an eighth grade student from Schaeffer Academy in Rochester was declared the champion after correctly spelling the word Environs. Isaac was the first runner up in last year’s final bee, proving that hard work and dedication can result in victory.
Isaac advances to the 93rd annual Scripps National Spelling Bee that takes place partially virtually in summer 2021. He also received a first place trophy, Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee), 2021 United States Mint Proof Set (The Samuel Louis Sugarman Award from Scripps), a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium and Hexco Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.
Eliana Lanners, a seventh grade student from Schaefer Academy, was the first Runner-Up. Eliana received a trophy, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (donated by Merriam-Webster), and Hexco Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.
Ardashir Kocer, a seventh grade student from Rochester Catholic, was the second Runner-Up. Ardashir received the Hexco Spelling Bee Supplement booklet.
Other students participating in the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee were: Elsa Blake, Austin, sixth grade; Carly Backen, Chatfield, eighth grade; Julia Evans, Goodhue, seventh grade; Johanna Herfindahl-Quint, Kasson-Mantorville, eighth grade; Spencer Goodale, LeRoy-Ostrander, seveth grade; Caroline Brice, Northfield, eighth grade; Elle Curtiss, Plainview-Elgin-Millville, eighth grade; Grace Torgerson, Spring Grove, eighth grade; and Mira Paul, St. Charles, eighth grade.