<p>For immediate release: March 18, 2014 Board Honors Spelling Champs</p><p>LAS CRUCES – The LCPS Board of Education honored the winners of the 2014 LCPS Spelling Bee at its March 18, 2014 meeting. Alameda Elementary School fifth grader Sandra Franco correctly spelled the word “vindaloo” (an Indian curry dish) to win the spelling bee. When Sandra was asked how she felt winning the bee, she replied: “I was given my lucky number, 39, when I registered. That’s my favorite number because my favorite verse is Psalms 1:39. I felt confident with my words. When I was the last one on stage, I was very surprised. When I was announced the winner, I was shocked but very excited!” Sarah Soward finished in second place by correctly spelling “halieutic” (of or related to fishing). Diego Montoya finished in third by correctly spelling “Cerberus” (a watchdog or gatekeeper). Both are seventh graders at Lynn Middle School. The LCPS District Spelling Bee, which lasted 17 rounds, was held on January 17 in the Performing Arts Center at Oñate High School. 43 third-eighth graders competed. New Mexico State University Professor of Linguistics Dr. Mark Waltermire served as the word pronouncer. Judges were retired LCPS librarian Margo Lamb, LCPS Staff Development Specialist Stacey Somppi, Interim Coordinator for Secondary Instruction Taryn Fogle and Mesilla Elementary Assistant Principal Kelly Mahres. Staff Development Specialist Mary Sloan was this year’s spelling bee coordinator. -30-</p>