Bates Spelling Champ Places Second in County Bee

Olivia Simmons, an eighth-grader at Wiley H. Bates Middle School, showed her skills at the county spelling bee on Saturday.

The final round of this year's Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee came after a 27-round duel between Severn River Middle student Robin Roper and defending spelling champion Olivia Simmons, who finished second on Saturday. Olivia, an eighth-grader at Bates Middle School, won last year's competition with the word "Damoclean." She also competed this year against her sister, Isabelle, a sixth-grader at Montessori International Children's House. Robin, an eighth-grader, beat out 31 other top spellers with her winning word, "wafflestomper"—a hiking boot with a lug sole. She earned a trip to the national competition later this year after she correctly spelled the word in the 39th round of the competition. Last year's competition ended in round 19. …

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Anne Arundel Spelling Bee 2013

5 Questions with Olivia Simmons, Bates Middle School Student

Patch profiles the students who won the spelling bee for their school as they get ready to compete in the county competition on Feb. 23.

Name: Olivia Simmons Grade: 8 School: Wiley H. Bates Middle School in Annapolis Anne Arundel Patch: What was the winning word you spelled correctly during your school's spelling bee? Olivia Simmons: My winning word was "chlorination." Anne Arundel Patch: What do you like about your school? Olivia: I love my school because I have great teachers, classes, and friends. Last year when I made it to the National bee everyone was so excited for me so I would like to thank everyone at Bates for that! I couldn't have asked for a better support group! I can't choose my favorite subject at school because it's honestly too hard. I love them all. Anne Arundel Patch: Do you participate in extracurricular activities or sports? Olivia: I figure skate, …

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