Cumberland schools crowns first-ever winner of virtual spelling bee
But to compete in the official bee, he had to wait two years.
When Zachary’s shot came, he did not miss. On Friday, the VanStory Hills Elementary School student beat three of the county’s other top spellers to punch his ticket to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, usually held in Washington, D.C. The championship word was “girder,” an iron or steel beam.
Zachary is the son of Jeffrey and Rachel Thurnher and older brother of Ryan Thurnher, 6. His fourth-grade teacher at VanStory is Avery Cameron.
“This is something he’s wanted for a long time,” Zachary’s mother said. “We’ve tried to encourage him just to have fun. But he’s worked so hard and we’re so proud of him.”