TRAVERSE CITY — An Antrim County student won the Grand Traverse Region Spelling Bee and a trip to the country’s capital to participate in the national competition.
Austin Wolfgram, 13, of Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids, won the regional bee Sunday with the word “meloplasty,” following a lengthy back-and-forth battle with Nicole Blakkan-Esser, 11, of West Middle School in Traverse City.
“M-E-L-O-P-L-A-S-T-Y,” Austin said, and then a wide grin spread across his face when a look from the judges told him he’d won.
Nicole previously stumbled on “coriander,” misplacing the “i” with an “e.” She took second place.
“It feels pretty awesome. I get to go to Washington, D.C.,” Austin said.
Austin beat 29 other middle school students during the regional bee on the stage at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City. Students came from across northwestern Lower Michigan, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Emmet, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
Austin will represent the region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in early June.
“I’m very proud,” said Vern Wolfgram, Austin’s father. “I’m impressed with his perseverance.”
Canyon O’Brien, 13, of Grand Traverse Academy in Traverse City, took third place.
Region
4:10 pm: Antrim student wins regional bee
-
-
Wanted: Foster Parents
Children in crisis need a stable home with mature, flexible and dependable caregivers. The Grand Traverse-Leelanau Department of Human Services is holding an orientation to find such families.
Continued ... -
Loraine Anderson: Listening to the quiet
Recently, while looking for something else, I find poet Mary Oliver's Instructions for a Good Life: "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."
Continued ... -
Schools ponder social media boundaries
Area school districts grapple with a rapidly changing social media environment. School officials ponder how to set boundaries on appropriate contact between students and teachers while trying to embrace new classroom technologies.
Continued ... -
Restaurant Week returns to Traverse City
Traverse City Restaurant Week begins Feb. 26 and runs through March 3.
Continued ... -
Two Benzie schools honored
The Michigan Department of Education recently included two of Benzie County Central Schools' elementaries, Lake Ann and Crystal Lake, among seven honored statewide as a Distinguished School for Exceptional Student Performance.
Continued ... -
Asian carp not only invasive species lurking
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says there are 36 other "high-risk invasive species" besides Asian carp that might migrate through Chicago waterways and have the potential to wreak ruin on native ecosystems.
Continued ... -
Last week's most-clicked headlines
The most-clicked headlines at Record-Eagle.com.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 11, 2012
-
Disabled man killed in blaze
Heavy smoke and flames rebuffed attempts by family, neighbors, police and fire officials to rescue a disabled man stranded in his Kalkaska Township home.
Continued ... -
Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
The frozen carcasses of two horses lay in Danelle Marie Round's pasture on the day she pleaded guilty to a single animal cruelty misdemeanor.
Continued ... -
Charged teacher waives exam, denied bond
A former Traverse City schoolteacher waived a preliminary examination and remains in jail on a charge of having sex with a student.
Continued ... -
BATA: 'Don't know how much money we will receive'
County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle.
Continued ... -
Third Level offers suicide alertness workshop
Third Level Crisis Intervention Center will offer a one-day workshop for people who want to help those at risk of suicide.
Continued ... -
DNA ties Holly man to 2009 break-in
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Holly man whose DNA ties him to a 2009 Traverse City break-in.
Continued ... -
Man arraigned in late-night chase
A man shot by police Taser after a late-night chase was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
Trojan debate team receives $30,000 grant
A local foundation donated $30,000 to Traverse City Central High School's debate team.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
-
One dead in Kalkaska blaze
Fire and police officials found a victim about 3:30 p.m. today inside a Kalkaska Township home engulfed by flames.
Continued ... -
Vasa brings skiers, business
Skiers aren't the only ones thrilled the annual Vasa race will proceed despite warm temperatures and little snow.
Continued ... -
Sparks fly over TCLP substation plan
Traverse City Light & Power wants a new southside substation to shore up its electric system, but Mayor Michael Estes fears the big site is a Trojan horse for a new power plant.
Continued ... -
Grand Traverse freezes pay for officials
Grand Traverse County plans to freeze elected officials' salaries and eliminate a car allowance in 2013 because of continued uncertainty over its revenue stream.
Continued ... -
Blair man accused of meat-fork threat
A Blair Township man was arrested for assault after police said he threatened his girlfriend with a meat-carving fork.
Continued ... -
Drop-off recycling site relocating
A drop-off recycling site on LaFranier Road is being relocated.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 9, 2012
-
Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
Continued ... -
Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
Continued ... -
Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
Continued ...
-
