NUACS student takes

second in spelling bee

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

MANKATO -- Holy Trinity Middle School sixth-grader Molly Boyle finished second in a 2001 Regional Spelling Bee Tuesday night at South Central Technical College.

Boyle and Mankato Hoover Elementary fifth-grader Timothy Mackie were the only contestants remaining after seven rounds of competition.

Mackie spelled speleologist correctly to win the contest. The word is defined, by the way, as a person who studies and explores caves.

Boyle enjoys reading anything but science fiction and playing basketball and softball, she said.

Mackie will compete in the Minnesota State Contest, April 3, at St. John's University, Collegeville.

Boyle is an alternate to the state contest if Mackie can't attend.

The national contest will be held May 27-June 1 in Washington, D.C.

Sleepy Eye Public School contestant Katherina Busch, also a 5th grader, was eliminated in the third round of competition.

Other Journal area students competing in regional competition were Amanda Gahler of Madelia Elementary School, Brittney Buse and Jeff Barrett of Armstrong School in St. James, Alexandra Fleischmann from St. Paul's Lutheran School of New Ulm.

Becky Bartles of Norwood Young America Central School finished third and Ashley Bodin of St. Clair was fourth.