This week at FMS, we hosted the 2024 District Diné Spelling Bee welcoming students from all grade levels to participate in this great competition. It was a special celebration of the Diné language and a way to honor the hard work of both students and teachers who learn and teach the Navajo language at FMS schools.
There was also plenty of entertainment at the event! Animas Elementary School and Tibbetts Middle School students showed off their traditional dancing skills, and we enjoyed a song from Miss Northern Navajo Teen, Anayah Dickson.
Let's celebrate our winners! In the elementary division, Kiara Benally from Apache Elementary took first place, followed by Sariah Benally in second place and Aubrey Theodore in third place. After 8 rounds, the winning word was “tł"oh” meaning “grass or hay.”
Moving on to the middle school division, Nikolai John from Heights Middle School clinched the first-place spot, with Noah Sandoval from Tibbetts Middle School in second place and Amira Valdez-Montoya from Mesa View Middle School in third place. After 3 rounds, the winning word was “niłch'i'” meaning “air.”
In the high school division, Tayen Johnson from Farmington High School emerged as the champion, with Taliah Velarde also from Farmington High School in second place and Ashley Beyale from Piedra Vista High School in third place. After 18 rounds, the winning word was “Dził Ná'oodiłii” meaning “the Mountain People moved.”
Congratulations to all the winners of this year's District Diné Spelling Bee! A big thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event!
Huge shoutout to our District Instructional Facilitator Carmelita Lee, who started the District Diné Spelling Bee 14 years ago. Incredible work!
Spelling Bees competitions help kids improve language skills, expand vocabulary, and promote academic excellence. These competitions teach accurate spelling and encourage good study habits, while also boosting confidence, fostering healthy competition, and giving a sense of accomplishment. What else? These competitions also sharpen focus, attention, and memory, skills useful in many areas of life!
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