Lake County Gazette

Sarah Kurian, a sixth-grader from Emerson, has won the 2025 D64 Spelling Bee, marking her second consecutive victory in the district.

Emerson had a strong showing at the event with another sixth-grader, Micah Cronin, securing second place. Alexandra Apostol, a third-grader from Roosevelt, finished in third place.

The competition featured 194 spellers at the school level, with the top three from each elementary and middle school advancing to the District Bee held on February 4. A total of 21 spellers participated in the district event which lasted for 13 rounds before Kurian clinched victory by correctly spelling "anxiety."

Kurian will now advance to compete in the North Cook Regional Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 25. The top three performers from this regional competition will represent North Cook at the Regional ISC Spelling Bee scheduled for March 19 at E.F. Lindop School in Broadview.

The district expressed gratitude towards coordinators who contributed to making the event successful:

- Carpenter: Mrs. Colleen Miller, Ms. Tori Lies, Mrs. Stephanie Barbera

- Emerson: Ms. Katie Contreras

- Field: Mrs. Brittney Keehn, Ms. Sarah Smith

- Franklin: Mrs. Shirlee Pater

- Lincoln: Ms. Liz Cichy, Ms. Christine Wandell

- Roosevelt: Ms. Lauren McTague, Ms. Jenny Coffin

- Washington: Mrs. Brittney Joyce, Mrs. Georgeanna Jaffe,

Mrs.Rachel Labuz,

Mrs.Tricia Nagel

- District: Mrs.Meghan Keefer