On September 28, 2023, Mount Vernon High School’s Spell Bowl team got the opportunity to participate in the Hoosier Heritage Conference Spell Bowl event at Yorktown High School in Yorktown. Seven total teams, including Mt. Vernon, competed.
Last year, Delta High School won the Spell Bowl Hoosier Heritage Conference award. This year, Mount Vernon High school was able to secure the trophy for the second time in thirty years with a total score of sixty-three points. The Spell Bowl team that was able to compete at Yorktown High School consisted of Penelope Dearth (12), Amelia Rockhill (12), Leaf Sexton (12), Ella Hodnett (11), Adriana Josephson (11), Claire Nicklin (11), Delainey Root (11), Nevaeh Weaver (11), Quinn Borror (9) and Alexander Pearson (9). Penelope Dearth scored a perfect nine points.
Mrs. Zelencik, the Spell Bowl coach, answered some questions about the Spell Bowl team.
Q: Why do you think that spell bowl is important?
A: “I think spell bowl is important because it gives students an opportunity that is unique, gives them an opportunity to showcase maybe their gift or their awesome study skills and also I think it’s nice for students to have opportunities that are academically related but still extracurricular.”
Q: Why do you sponsor Spell Bowl?
A: “Well it goes back to twenty years ago when I was hired here. The social studies department chair at the time, Mr. Granger, called like the day I got hired or the day after and he goes ‘Hi! Have you ever coached anything?’ And I had only been teaching two years at that point so I was like ‘Nope!’ And he said, ‘Well we need a Spell Bowl coach and an English Academic Team coach – would you do it?’ I had no idea what I was doing or signing up for and I said yes and I’ve just really enjoyed it ever since so I just keep doing it.”
Q: How do you feel about this victory?
A: “I am so proud of our team and their victory. So, I went back and looked at records, this is only the second time we’ve won the HHC competitions since the records started in 1993. Super proud, it’s all you guys. And our score even was rocking. So, not only did we win, but we won with a good score. So, I think we have a lot to be proud of.”
Q: Were you expecting the Mount Vernon spell bowl team to win?
A: “I didn’t know what to expect since we don’t meet all that often and don’t have that many practice quizzes. I wasn’t really sure but I did feel like we had a strong group. If everyone showed up and we had ten, I felt like we had a really good chance.”
Q: Where will the spell bowl trophy be?
A: “The spell bowl trophy is in the glass display case of the library – I guess you would say farthest from the doors.”
Q: Do you have anything you’d like to say to the MVHS spell bowl members?
A: “Oh! Just congratulations again. I’m really proud of all of you and I look forward to our next competition and to seeing all of you shine again.”
On October 30, 2023, the MVHS Spell Bowl team went to compete at Shelbyville High School and placed second, advancing to the state level. The state Spell Bowl competition will be held on November 11, 2023 at Purdue University. In the meantime, make sure to congratulate the members of the MVHS Spell Bowl team on their win.
