The third time proved to be the charm for Keene Adventist Elementary eighth-grader Trent Muse, who won the Johnson County Area Spelling Bee on Thursday in his third appearance at the annual competition.
Muse was proclaimed the winner in the ninth round after successfully spelling “worrisome.”
Finishing in the runner-up position was C.C. Cooke Elementary fifth-grader Stephanie Rodriguez.
Muse attributed his three years of experience at the area level as a factor in winning the 2010 contest.
As a sixth-grader he was the runner-up and finished third last year.
“I think a lot of it had to do with experience, knowing what it was going to be like” he said. “And I think I studied harder than I have before.”
His appearance at the competition was a bit iffy earlier in the week because he battled fever and a cold.
“On Monday I wasn’t sure I would make it,” he said. “But I knew that if I didn’t win the spelling bee this year, I wouldn’t have another chance.”
Muse, the son of Tony and Tammy Muse of Keene, plans to continue studying his spelling words in preparation for the next level of competition.
The regional spelling bee will be March 23 in Fort Worth.
This year’s spelling bee winner is an experienced competitor, but it was all new for the runner-up, who will serve as Johnson County’s alternate to the regional contest.
Rodriguez’ first time to compete was at the C.C. Cooke spelling event, in which she was the campus winner.
“I studied real hard with some help from my sister and my brother’s girlfriend,” Rodriguez said. “I guess I was about 10 percent nervous today. I hoped and thought I would make it to the last round.”
Rodriguez’s cousin, Pierre Vivoni, was also at the spelling bee as Gerard Elementary’s campus winner.
“I told him he was my competitor,” she said. “We both plan to be back next year.”
Fourteen students qualified for Thursday morning’s area contest after winning their school’s spelling bee.
Joshua ISD representatives were Daniel Chi, Plum Creek Elementary; Joseph Chi, R.C. Loflin Middle School; and Madison Travitz, Staples Elementary.
Students from Keene ISD were Joaquin Donaires, Keene Elementary; and Trevin Geen, Keene Junior High.
Cleburne ISD campus winners also included Justice Barkman, Smith Middle School; Mayra Dominguez, Irving Elementary; Hanna Lisenbe, Marti Elementary; and Tei-Ana Davis, Coleman Elementary.
Alvarado spelling winners included Kindle Spivey, Alvarado Elementary South, and Jasmin Rangel, Lillian Elementary.
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Lisa Magers/CISD
Representing their schools at the Johnson County Area Spelling Bee were, front, from left, Madison Travitz, Staples Elementary; Jasmin Rangel, Lillian Elementary; Kindle Spivey, Alvarado Elementary South; Daniel Chi, Plum Creek Elementary; Joaquin Donaires, Keene Elementary; Tei-Ana Davis, Coleman Elementary; middle row, from left, Stephanie Rodriguez, C.C. Cooke Elementary; Hanna Lisenbe, Marti Elementary; Mayra Dominguez, Irving Elementary; Trevin Green, Keene Junior High; Pierre Vivoni, Gerard Elementary; and back, from left, Trent Muse, Keene Adventist Elementary; Juatice Barkman, Smith Middle School; and Joseph Chi, R.C. Loflin Middle School.
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Related Photos
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Keene Adventist Elementary eighth-grader Trent Muse spells “worrisome” to win the Johnson County Area Spelling Bee. Also pictured is runner-up C.C. Cooke Elementary fifth-grader Stephanie Rodriguez. Monica Green/Times-Review
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