2015 MacNolia Cox Spelling Bee

“I think I might win this thing,” said one contestant in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s third annual MacNolia Cox Spelling Bee.

That appeared to be the attitude shared by all five finalists who competed on May 23 at the Delta House at 218 South French Broad Avenue. Others initially signed on to participate, but only five persevered and made it to the final competition.

Before the bee began, Eula Shaw, chairperson of the Spelling Bee Committee, told the contestants that they were already winners. She shared this quote by Bonnie Blair: “Winning does not always mean being first; winning means you are doing better than you have done before.”

In the end, Reginald Redfern, son of Rolanda Roberts, placed first, winning $100; Isaiah Pacheco, son of Alisha and Alejandro Pacheco III, placed 2nd, winning $50; and Khalil Conley, son of Rod and Sharette Conley, placed 3rd. winning $25. Other contestants included DayShawn Carey, son of Tatanisha Davis, and DaShawn Stone-Gilliam, son of Misty Gilliam. All contestants are in the 4th grade. Ms. Jacquelyn Simms was the pronouncer.

The contestants agreed that they had learned new words, pronunciations and definitions. Cognitively, they had improved memory skills and thought they could perform better under pressure, thereby giving them the confidence to speak in public. The audience applauded them all as winners before the competition began.

During the competition, contestants exhibited motivation, persistence and courage—the qualities that pushed MacNolia Cox to the top. From Akron, Ohio, she was the first African American girl to become a finalist in the National Spelling Bee in 1936; then she was eliminated in the fifth round when she was given the word “nemesis,” a word that was not on the original list.

Just as at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Asheville audience sat with bated breath and excitement as the final two contestants went 41 rounds before Reginald Redfern spelled the winning word.

Contestants received a copy of the comic book, Star Wars Jedi Academy by New York Times-bestselling author Jeffrey Brown. They were encouraged to READ, READ, READ to continue expanding their vocabulary.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority appreciates the encouragement and support of the parents and Leah Chang of the YWCA after school program.