Scenario proves perfect for Wheeler 8th-grader
By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer
Wes Redekop, an eighth-grader at Wheeler Middle School, won the Central District Spelling Bee last night at Mililani Middle School by spelling "scenario" correctly.
Lucia Mocz, a seventh-grader at Mililani Middle, was the runner-up, beating out the other spellers in eight rounds. Mocz, 12, studies with her brother, Philip, also in the contest. She is the daughter of Eva and Gabor Mocz.
Redekop, 14, son of Nicole Redekop-Slattery and Mike Slattery, was nervous on stage, playing with his ring. But the audience couldn't tell as he spoke clearly and slowly, spelling every word correctly.
"I didn't think I would make it through the first round," he said.
He had studied the word list and dictionary, and said he was very excited about going to the state championship. His father is serving in the Army in Iraq.
"I'll send an e-mail tonight, and hopefully he'll see it in the next couple of days," his mother said.
Redekop and Mocz go to the State Spelling Bee March 14 at Windward Community College to face district champions from Honolulu and Leeward O'ahu and Maui, Kaua'i and Hawai'i. Finalists compete in the 77th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, May 26-28 in Washington, D.C.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
