Daniel Island's Ian Mullaney takes top spot at the BCSD Spelling Bee
“Tsunami” was the final word that swept Daniel Island School seventh grader Ian Mullaney to the top honor at the 2019 Berkeley County School District Spelling Bee. The intense 90 minute competition took place on Thursday, Jan. 25 at Berkeley High School.
Mullaney’s spelling bee journey began four years ago and last year he placed third in the district competition. This year’s victory was a rewarding experience for the 13-year-old.
“I am overwhelmed by all the congratulations given by others,” he said. “It feels good to know that all the work my parents and I did paid off.”
Mullaney hopes to continue his winning streak all the way to the national competition later this year. In a world of spell check and text abbreviations, Mullaney is already hard at work preparing for the upcoming regional spelling bee.
Between his busy schedule with activities that include student council, frisbee club, and karate, Mullaney studies every day using various techniques to prepare for the competition.
“I use a whiteboard to study,” he explained. “It helps to envision the words as I spell. Studying Latin and Greek roots also helped.”
To help improve his skills, Mullaney not only practices spelling the words, but also learns their meaning.
Mullaney’s mom, Tracey, is proud of her son’s recent accomplishment.
“It means a lot to us because it shows Ian that hard work pays off and even though you may have a natural gift you have to practice hard to bring it to another level,” she said.
Mullaney has advice for those interested in competing in spelling bees.
“Read anything you can get your hands on,” he said. “You can download library apps for free and get lots of books to read. Also dedicate yourself and practice.”
Second-place honors went to another local, Philip Simmons Middle School sixth grader Rebecca Gehringer. It was her second time participating. The 11-year-old plans to study the word list every day to help prepare for the next competition. Gehringer said she uses “Repetition and deep breathing” to help study and calm her nerves.
Gehringer’s mom, Dara, learned a few things at the last competition and has some sound advice for the spellers and their parents. She suggested, “Study the word list, take your time, and if you are not 100 percent sure you know how to spell the word ask the allowed questions (definition, origin, use in a sentence).”
Mullaney and Gehringer, along with 10 other BCSD students, will compete in the regional spelling bee at Charleston Southern University on March 7. The winners will have the opportunity to advance to the National Spelling Bee later this year.
2019 Top 12 Finishers:
- Ian Mullaney, 7th grade, Daniel Island School
- Rebecca Gehringer, 6th grade, Philip Simmons Middle
- Kailyn Abad, 7th grade, Marrington Middle SOA
- Jackson Cabales, 6th grade, Marrington Middle SOA
- Yoshio Mayer, 5th grade, Cane Bay Middle
- Donovan Gadsden, 6th grade, Westview Middle
- Daniel Lundblad, 6th grade, Cane Bay Middle
- Octavio Villegas, 8th grade, Sedgefield Middle
- Zyon Scott, 6th grade, Berkeley Middle
- Kelis Morrison, 6th grade, St. Stephen Middle
- Kirstin Lee, 7th grade, Macedonia Middle
- Scarlett Evans, 8th grade, Hanahan Middle