For over 30 years, the New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has hosted the local competition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. In 2021, Louisiana’s own Zaila Avant-garde won the local competition and went on to became the Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. In the process, she won the hearts of the world not only for her spelling acumen, but for her diverse interests and accomplishments in sports and her drive to be the best that she can be. To everyone’s delight, Zaila made a special appearance at the 2022 national competition.
The New Orleans (LA) Chapter is committed to the students of our region. Many students, teachers and parents work very hard and prepare for the local competition each year. School pride, personal pride and family pride converge especially during Spelling Bee season.
This year, Matthew Yi, a 4th grade home school student, won the local competition and competed in the national spelling bee competition on June 2 and 3. He did not win, but we know he will be back. Our second place finishers were Kailyn Randall, a 6th grader, and Abigail Curtis-Moore, a 7th grader. Kennedi Rybiskie, a 5th grader, took third place.
The New Orleans (LA) Chapter’s immediate past president and Chair of the Spelling Bee Committee, Vonda Flentroy-Rice, was invited to participate in the 2022 National Spelling Bee event. That was an honor we were all so very proud of.
Pictured in the image above: From Left: Vonda Flentroy-Rice of the New Orleans (LA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated; J. Michael Durnil, Scripps National Spelling Bee Executive Director; and, 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, Zaila Avant-garde.
