Nick Williams defends title at Repository Regional Spelling Bee timesreporter.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesreporter.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
That s what champions do.
Williams knows about winning probably better than most. The Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior High eighth-grader had conquered the Canton Repository Regional Final Spelling Bee last year. And he was back Saturday afternoon to defend his title against 11 of the best spellers in the district, and from schools in Carroll, Holmes, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.
Inside the conference center complex at Kent State University s Stark campus, Williams was among a trio who had advanced almost by default to the 25th round of the event.
That s when Canton Country Day s Mason Humphrey misspelled puerilely. East Canton Middle School s Carter Menegay then got tripped up on kwashiorkor. Williams was up next. Dressed in a shirt with horizontal blue, red and yellow stripes, and tan pants, he marched his gray loafers yet again to a microphone between the pronouncer and judge.
This weekend will mark Williams’ fourth consecutive appearance in the Canton Repository Regional Final Spelling Bee.
The winner will qualify to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Williams, of Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior High School, won the bee last year, but the COVID-19 crisis scuttled his chance to hop on the stage at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Ohio’s COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020 followed days after the Repository’s Regional Final Bee, which was held March 7, 2020. Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency on March 9, 2020; and Dr. Amy Acton signed an order prohibiting mass gatherings on March 12, 2020. The state’s schools were closed March 14, 2020.
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
United Way of Greater Stark County Kid of Character: Evan Wellman, North Canton Schools [The Repository, Canton, Ohio]
NAME Evan Wellman
RESIDENCE North Canton
SIBLINGS Zoey, Isabel, Aubrey and Loraine.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Soccer, band.
NOMINATION From Michelle Mcallister: “Evan is extremely hard-working. It is clear he is dedicated to his academic studies. He is kind and approachable. He is willing to work with any other students, and is a strong leader when asked to complete group work. We are proud to nominate Evan for the Kid of Character from Team 7 Orange!”
PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU PERFORMED YOUR ACT OF KINDNESS It just feels like the natural thing to do.