MATTAWA - Wahluke Junior High's sixth grade representatives, Jasmine Rosales and Edwin Valencia took first place and third place at the annual middle school spelling bee at Bethlehem Lutheran Middle School in Kennewick.

It was a deserved triumph for Wahluke Junior High spelling coach Jawn-Michelle Cottrell, who prepared the students, WJH Dean of Students Sean Langdon said.

The bee also included the top seventh- and eighth-graders from Wahluke Junior High. They didn't fare as well as the sixth-graders, but Langdon said they were crack spellers just the same.

According to Langdon, all reading students took a pretest early this year to qualify for the spelling bee. Of those qualifiers, 30 entered the spelling bee competition and began studying a long list of spelling words. The group was then pared down to 15 semifinalists.

On March 10, in the final WJH contest, six finalists emerged from the 15 semifinalists. They were eighth-graders Jasmine Corona and Mirna Gallaga, seventh-graders Yadira Gutierrez and Sujeily Ruvalcaba, and sixth-graders Edwin Valencia and Yasmine Rosales.

The six finalists went on to compete in the spelling bee in Kennewick, each at their grade level. Hard work paid off, as the two WJH sixth grade contestants came back placing first and third.

"We are so proud of our spelling bee finalists," Langdon said. "We are continually grateful for the many teachers and parents who put in the extra time and make a positive impact on all our students.