HILA Spelling Bee brings the buzz

Feb 5, 2015 | Hope in the News

Classrooms were buzzing last month at The Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA) on Chicago’s near west side as students competed in an annual tradition: the spelling bee.

The competition was held Tuesday, Jan. 12 and students were grouped into three levels: kindergarten/first grade, second/third grade, and fourth/fifth grade. Nearly 50 classroom winners participated in the event. The school-wide winners were Kalvin Sneed (K/1), Mia Moore (2/3) and Chema Alanis (4/5).

“On bee day, the students dress in black and yellow and the school is abuzz,” said HILA teacher Melissa Flores. “The spelling bee allows students to be in front of an audience and gives us a chance to celebrate their hard work.”

Student Chema Alanis will move on to compete in the CPS citywide spelling bee. Winners at that level move on to state and national competition.

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