Overall grade level winners listed for area SSGM

Two hundred and fifty-two students from Whitman County and Asotin schools competed in the annual Whitman County Speech, Spelling, Geography and Math Contest last Wednesday in Garfield. The contest, which includes six categories at four grade levels, was hosted by Garfield School District. Tina Coles, the Language Arts teacher at the Garfield-Palouse Middle School, was the organizer and master of ceremonies for the event, assisted by secretary Patty Cottrill and the rest of the Garfield-Palouse Middle School staff.

The afternoon contest culminated in an awards ceremony, presided over by Mrs. Coles’ husband, Tim Coles from the Garfield-Palouse High School. Overall winners were announced for grades five through eight in Impromptu Speech, Interpretive Speech, Persuasive Speech, Spelling (written and oral), Geography and Math.

Winners in Impromptu Speech were Laura Smith, Colfax; Caitlyn Paris, Asotin; Kyle DeGon, Rosalia, and Ashtyn Aune, LaCrosse.

Interpretive Speech overall winners were Tayma Vanek, Colfax; Collin Pittman, Rosalia; Lindsey Lindgren, Oakesdale, and Sarah Appel, Colfax.

Persuasive Speech overall winners were Maia Dykstra, Asotin; Logan Dempsey, Rosalia; Willie Whalon, Oakesdale, and Stanzi Hay, Asotin.

Overall winners for Spelling included Palmer Pederson, Asotin; Marie Benedetti, Colfax; Ashley Swall, Garfield-Palouse; AaLea Kolb, Asotin; Jason Parker, Tekoa; Julia Todderud, Asotin, and Hannah Genthe, Colfax.

Geography overall winners were Zach Jarosch, Brett Kincaid, A.J. Miller and Mitch Barney, all from Colfax.

Overall winners in Math included Rachel Willis, Colton; Leighton Dorman, LaCrosse; Hope de Avila, Colfax, and Tommy Loop, Asotin.

Planning will soon begin for next year’s contest, which will be hosted by LaCrosse School District.