Arabella Griffin Gears Up for the Ultimate Spelling Bee Showdown

Fourth-grader Arabella Griffin triumphed in the West Sedona School Spelling Bee held on December 12, clinching first place by correctly spelling “jeans.” Third-grader Lash Lupo earned the runner-up position in the competition.

The winners received recognition from the Kiwanis Club, with Griffin awarded a trophy and a cash prize of $75. Lupo received a $50 prize. Griffin will go on to represent the Sedona-Oak Creek School District at the 79th annual Yavapai County Spelling Bee in Prescott, scheduled for February 1.

Griffin, who described herself as soft-spoken, shared her strategy for success: “I look at one person when I spell something.” Winning the spelling bee was particularly meaningful for her, as it marked her first trophy, which now adorns her room.

Among her favorite practice words is “mule,” while she has also tackled “dolphin” as one of the longer words in her study sessions. “I’m a little nervous but I’m practicing every day,” she admitted, demonstrating her commitment to improvement.

Her aunt, Joy Pollard, praised Griffin’s character: “Arabella is the sweetest, kindest, most compassionate little girl I think there is. She is a voracious reader, which I think is helpful with the spelling bee.” Griffin’s reading interests include the *Babysitters Club* series and the historical fiction *I Survived* books. English is her favorite subject, and she looks forward to learning about outer space in the classroom.

As she approaches her 10th birthday next week, Griffin expressed a wish for jewelry to complement a necklace she received last year. Her teacher, Kelly Cadigan, reflected on Griffin’s dedication: “Arabella works very hard and strives each day to do her best. Her hard work and dedication were evident as she took the spelling bee stage.”

Griffin and Lupo proudly displayed their trophies after the event, highlighting the spirit of friendly competition among peers.

Pollard noted the kindness prevalent among Griffin and her friends, emphasizing their graciousness and understanding. Griffin’s outside interests include drawing fashion items, particularly in her favorite color, pink. She has aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, inspired by her affection for dogs.

In preparation for the upcoming county contest, she has been practicing words like “lollygagging,” which she charmingly defined as “sitting around and not liking to do anything.”