Lake Oconee Academy participated in the Greene County District Spelling Bee on Jan. 13 and is celebrating two of its students for their academic achievements.
The local academic competition takes place each year, featuring top spellers from multiple schools across the district. During the recent matchup, LOA fourth grader Jordan Loh finished in first place and will advance to the Regional Spelling Bee in the coming months.
LOA 8th grader Ann Campbell Vinson competed in the spelling bee under her final year of eligibility and scored third place overall in the recent event. She leaves the annual competition as a four-time LOA championship winner and a three-time district winner.
“I am incredibly proud of the way Jordan and Ann Campbell represented LOA at the county spelling bee,” said Kalie McDaniel, LOA Spelling Bee Coordinator.”They both have spent countless hours studying, preparing, and encouraging each other in pursuit of becoming the District Spelling Bee Champion.”
Each year, the district spelling bee involves students from multiple schools across the county who, beforehand, progressed through competitions within their own classrooms and schools.
The participants compete by spelling “increasingly challenging words aloud,” until one student remains standing.
“The spelling bee challenges students academically, but it also builds confidence, resilience, and poise under pressure,” McDaniel said. “Students learn how to prepare independently, manage nerves, and recover from mistakes; Even beyond spelling, the event reinforces vocabulary development, language patterns, and perseverance.”
According to a recent LOA press release, Jordan Loh advanced through 22 rounds of competition. McDaniel says she has worked with both Vinson and Loh in a classroom environment and sees their recent success as a reflection of “the effort they consistently put into their learning.”
“Jordan’s performance was impressive as she went 22 rounds to become this year’s champion,” McDaniel said. “I have also enjoyed watching Ann Campbell shine over the past three years as our former District Spelling Bee Champion; We wish her all the best as she heads to high school next year.”
McDaniel hopes that Loh and Vinson’s accomplishments will inspire other LOA students to believe that such academic competitions can be “exciting and rewarding.”
“[This event] is a reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to growth and new opportunities,” McDaniel said. “Whether it’s a spelling bee or another challenge, I want students to see that hard work and preparation truly pay off.”
With the regional competition drawing near, McDaniel said that the main focus is to grow and “enjoy the experience.” She noted that the occasion is a major accomplishment, regardless of performance.
“[Regional competition] is a great opportunity to compete alongside strong spellers from other districts and to continue learning,” McDaniel said. “No matter the outcome, advancing to this level is an accomplishment worth celebrating.”