Guntersville student wins for the second time
By MARY BAILEY The Reporter
Photo by Elizabeth Summers | The Reporter
After 15 rounds, “charioteer” was the winning word at the 2024 Marshall County Spelling Bee on Thursday.
Twelve students from schools across the county competed for the title but in the end, Lorelai Teal from Guntersville Middle School took home the coveted award.
Alan Garner, Assistant Superintendent for Marshall County Schools, gave the opening remarks.
“We are so thankful that you are here to support these students,” Garner said to friends and family in attendance. “I see a lot of our Superintendents here today and we want to thank you for being here. It starts at the District Level and the support of our Superintendent and we couldn’t do it without our Principals making sure that they have time during their day. Our school sponsors are the ones we communicate with during the fall time and get everything organized, so a big thank you to them.”
Spelling Bee Pronouncer Patrick Williams went through two practice rounds with the contestants to get them warmed up.
After 30 minutes and 15 rounds of words, it was down to two contestants, Jonus Huckaby from Arab Junior High School and Lorelai Teal from Guntersville Middle School.
Teal won with correctly spelling “charioteer” which means someone who drives a chariot.
Teal, who also won in her sixth grade year said it felt surreal to win again.
“English is probably my favorite subject and I have always been good at spelling.”
Parents Dawn and Daniel Teal, who came to cheer their daughter on, were very proud.
“She loves to read and loves books,” mom said. “But state competition will be a lot harder. They have some who get spelling coaches to help them. It’s a big deal.”
Teal will head to the state spelling competition in March.
2024 Marshall County Spelling Bee Winners:
Albertville Middle: Jacob Ard
Arab Elementary: Rosalind Williams
Arab Jr. High: Jonas Huckaby
Cherokee Elementary: Porter Barnett
Guntersville Middle: Lorelai Teal
Asbury High: Braydon Roe
BMES: Sam Bishop
BMHS: Adam Dement
DAR Elementary: Fiona Kane
DAR Middle: Bianca Mathis
Douglas Elementary: Remington Tapp
Douglas Middle: Natalie Bryant
2024 Marshall County Spelling Bee Runners-up:
Albertville Middle: Logan Kilgore
Arab Elementary: Scarlett Gore
Arab Jr. High: Eli Motte
Cherokee Elementary: Jeremiah Lauer
Guntersville Middle: Damon Boiles
Asbury High: Magali Cruz
BMES: Kelvin Salgado
BMHS: Curtis Slaman
DAR Elementary: Lennox Hill
DAR Middle: Silas May
Douglas Elementary: Ezekiel Watts
Douglas Middle: Braylee Reeves
Officials
Marshall County Spelling Bee Coordinator: Alan Garner
Assistant: Tammy West
Pronouncer: Patrick Williams
Judges: Guntersville: Jennifer Williams
Marshall County: Emily Waldrop
Sponsors: Guntersville Chick-Fil-A, Guntersville Zaxby’s
T-Shirt Sponsor: Bill Hancock Motors, LLC
Marshall County Spelling Bee Sponsors:
Albertville Middle School: Marlo Holley
Arab Elementary School: Emily Buck
Arab Jr. High: Mary Anne Crowder
Cherokee Elementary School: Savanah Howard
Guntersville Middle School: Emily Johnson
Asbury High School: Misty Howse
Brindlee Mountain Elementary School: Stephanie Williams
Brindlee Mountain High School: Elizabeth Martin
DAR Elementary School: Valerie Largen
DAR Middle School: Dana Morrison
Douglas Middle School: Bailey Norrell
