February 07, 2025
Education

Wegner Elementary's Gavin O'Keefe named District 33 spelling bee champion

By SUBURBAN LIFE
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Gavin O'Keefe, a sixth-grader at Wegner Elementary School, and Emily Carroso, a sixth-grader at Indian Knoll Elementary, will represent West Chicago District 33 in the DuPage Regional Spelling Bee Feb. 20. (Submitted Photo)

WEST CHICAGO - Gavin O'Keefe, a sixth-grade student at Wegner Elementary School, spelled his way to the top Thursday in the West Chicago District 33 Final Spelling Bee, held in the West Chicago American Legion Hall, 123 Main St. A total of 23 students participated in the final bee.

Emily Carroso, a sixth-grade student at Indian Knoll Elementary School, took second place. The pair will represent West Chicago District 33 at the DuPage Regional Spelling Bee at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 20 at Monroe Middle School in Wheaton.

The other participants in our final bee were:

Swapna George - 3rd Grade - Wegner

Anna Fortelka - 5th Grade - Turner

Roshni Balantrapu - 3rd Grade - Wegner

Rithvik Balantrapu - 3rd Grade - Wegner

Lola Browning - 4th Grade - Turner

Cassidy Motyka - 5th Grade - Indian Knoll

Sebastian Cuka - 7th Grade - West Chicago Middle School

Madeline Mull - 4th Grade - Indian Knoll

Jaelynn Abdullah - 4th Grade - Turner

Nathan Shwatal - 5th Grade - Gary

Asa Kuharich - 3rd Grade - Gary

Annie Navadomskis - 5th Grade - Turner

Chloe Johnson - 4th Grade - Turner

Diego Mackintos - 3rd Grade - Currier

Calista Connard - 3rd Grade - Turner

Lily Cuka - 4th Grade - Indian Knoll

Lilly Carter - 5th Grade - Wegner

Katie Steponaitis - 5th Grade - Indian Knoll

Also on Thursday evening, District 33 grade level champions - third grader Rithvik Balantrapu, fourth grader Lola Browning, fifth grader Annie Navadomskis and junior high's Emily Carroso, were awarded trophies for their accomplishments.