It took fourteen tension-packed rounds filled with words such as promethean, pessimum and Montessorian before eighth grader Brandan Sakka finally prevailed spelling the final word "fascistic" correctly.
He narrowly edged seventh grader Bailey Sylvester who gallantly hung in through several rounds of mano a mano, head to head competition with Brandon.
Three of the final four were eighth grade boys, who went the final eight rounds battling it out among themselves and with Bailey, as audience members cheered, winced, grinned and groaned.
Two lower school students made it to an advanced round, winning certificates and prizes as the top lower school spellers. Fifth graders Luke Imai and Joshua Sunada, both taught by Ms. Cindy Scheinert, were named co-winners in the lower school division.
Brandan's English teacher is Ms. Deborah Otsu, and Ms. Leslie Evans teaches Bailey.
The winners in both the lower and upper school divisions were awarded certificates and cash prizes.
Brandan will represent `Iolani at the district bee with Bailey as his back-up alternate.
Ms. Jane Romjue again organized the 'Iolani Bee with assistance from her fellow 7th and 8th grade English teachers.
The judges were Dr. Deborah Hall, Dr. Joseph Won and Mr. John Bickel.
Mr. Motter handled the difficult task of pronouncer with aplomb, and Mr. Cyrus Won manned the audio equipment ensuring that every letter could be distinctly heard.
The crowd waxed and waned as favorites survived rounds or were retired by the sweet sound of a chime indicating a misspelled word.
