By correctly spelling ‘‘whimsical’’ and ‘‘ecosystem,’’ Edward Frails III became Richmond County’s spelling bee champion Friday.
“I’m just amazed right now,” said Edward, a sixth-grader at Immaculate Conception Catholic School, after his win.
Friday was a full day of spelling bee competitions at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School. The day began with the elementary school bee, followed by the middle school bee. Winners from Augusta schools advanced to compete in the county bees.
Will Cawthon, of C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School, won the elementary school bee.
Edward went head-to-head with Darrell Walker of Hephzibah Middle School for several rounds before correctly spelling ‘‘binoculars’’ to win the middle school title.
The county bee was a one-on-one contest between Edward and Will. Edward had to spell two words correctly to claim the title after Will misspelled ‘‘siege.’’
“Third time’s a charm,” said Edward’s father, Edward Frails Jr. “We were here last year and the year before. We are very proud of him.”
Edward said he was worried about only a couple of the words, including ‘‘whimsical,’’ and he owed his success to hitting the books.
“I studied with my grandmother (Betty Jean Frails) almost every night,” he said.
“He worked so hard,” said his mother, Elisabeth Frails. “He would forgo watching TV.”
His next stop is to the regional spelling bee, sponsored by The Augusta Chronicle, on March 3 at the Morris Auditorium.
To get ready, Edward plans to keep studying, and, as the winner of the county bee, he received several items, including word games and books, he can use to hone his spelling skills.
Karen Cliett, one of the event officials and a professional learning specialist with the Richmond County Board of Education, said spelling bees are important for children.
“We not only have to be able to communicate orally but through the written word," she said. "Children need to know how to spell. It’s important for children to be able to think and problem-solve creatively. That’s why we still do the spelling bees. It’s fun. The kids enjoy it.”
What many never consider when they discuss the pathetic schools in Richmond County is the fact the private schools in the county are turning out thousands of superior students.
KUDOS to the Frails lad, his parents as well as Principal Jon Pike and the faculty at IC.
Craig, Jon Pike. Boy, that's a name from the past. The former Marine has proven he's a pretty good principal.
I hope that ihopeso2 was kidding when he or she spelled awesome "awsome". And congratulations to Edward Frails and all his mentors/teachers. Immaculate Conception is an underrated, and excellent school. But Riverman1, not all public schools in Richmond County are pathetic. We do have some good ones, including the magnet schools. Admittedly, there is a severe need for improvement and I hope everyone in education in Richmond County works hard for that.
Superior students? What planet are you on Riverman1?
gregleopard:
Would you be so kind as to name the school you attended and some of your teachers? I would love to check up on you to see what kind of student you were. Just saying.....since you are convinced that there are no superior students in Richmond County. And we need your "real" name.
Perhaps you misunderstood, Truth Matters. I certainly believe that there are numerous superior students in Richmond County. I am simply pointing out that many of them are in the public school system and not necessarily in the various private schools. By the way, why do so many people using slogans and other aliases as their screen names care to question my "real" name?
Riverman1,
GBES and the CCSS lost a good principal when TAP ran Jon off. But Jon has been vindicated by his performance at IC while TAP is a broken, old man.
With a private school most students are superior. In the public school some students are superior (going against tremendous odds in some of them).
Caring parents will find a way to educate their child and the sacrifice made might well be for private schooling.
If you are locked in a poor school district ....please take your children to the library....open up the world of books to your child......you will be glad you did. I paid mine to read every summer....after awhile they did it for the love of reading.
seenit. You are so right. We are regular users of the library and I am thrilled to no end when I see a mother come in with 3 or 4 little ones and watch their eyes light up. They are in awe of all the books.
How can parents not give them this gift. It is free. Paid for with tax money and open to all.
My grandson, at age 11, disliked reading. I gave him my old copy of "where the red fern grows", he loved it and became a reader!
He is an adult now and loves Lee Childs, Vince Flynn...he is a reader.
We are so extremely proud of Edward. Indeed his love for reading has enhanced his vocabulary and ability to spell tremendously.
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