For the second year in a row, Robert Fisher is Mansfield ISD’s spelling bee champion. The Rogene Worley Middle School seventh-grader won the competition by correctly spelling the word “cauterize”.  

"I’m happy and nervous at the same time about going to regionals. I really want to go to nationals,” Robert said.  

The two-time champ studied the Scripps word list 2-3 hours per day to prepare for the bee. The words used in the contest are provided by Scripps, and students have an opportunity to study them. 

A total of 38 competitors participated in the annual event at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts. Winners from every elementary, intermediate and middle school campus bee moved on to the district competition, held Feb. 2. 

New this year, both the district champion and runner-up will advance to the regional level. 

“Moving on to the next part of the competition will be so exciting and terrifying,” said Cross Timbers Intermediate sixth-grader Henry Ickes. Ickes is this year’s runner-up.  

“It's so much more than just spelling skills,” said Sarah McMurrough, English/language arts instructional coach for grades 3 and 4. “Our students are learning to gain confidence, maintain their emotions, and really study up for something important. It was great to see their sportsmanship and support for each other.” 

This year’s bee, sponsored by the Mansfield Sunrise Rotary Club, lasted 14 rounds. School board trustees, district staff and Rotarians comprised the judges panel. 

Robert and Henry will go on to compete at the regional spelling bee competition at Texas Christian University on March 5. The winner will represent the region in May at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. 

District Spelling Bee Contestants