The winning words at last night's Diné Spelling Bee were tsidił (stick dice), mąʼiitsoh (big wanderer), and jinízin (appreciating). Congratulations to all the winners and participants of the 16th edition of this wonderful competition!
And the winners are:
Elementary: Emalyn Berry (1st place, Bluffview), Aurora Bedonie (2nd place, Apache), and Mila Pocowatchit (3rd place, Animas).
Middle School: Laci Bizardie (1st place, Mesa View), Tayden Smith (2nd place, Heights), and Abby Smith (3rd place, Heights).
High School: Arianna Paul (1st place, PVHS), Tristan Fowler (2nd place, FHS), and Alyssa Rochelle Buck (3rd place, Piedra Vista).
A huge THANK YOU to our families, Navajo Language and Culture teachers, and the staff at Piedra Vista's Turano-Chrisman Performing Arts Theater.
Thank you also to our Diné Spelling Bee Judges: Ms. Brenna Atcitty, Ms. Chizz Bah, Ms. Mildred Bitsui, and Dr. Terry Lee Teller; our Pronouncers: Ms. Esther Dennison, Ms. Jo Leiba-Jack, and Ms. LaRosa Dawes; and to Ms. Melanie Kurley, Ms. Alys Maize, Mr. DeaZahn Maize, the PVHS Indigenous Club, and our Diné Spelling Bee Coordinator, Ms. Carmelita Lee.