Bree Frye’s sixth try was the charm.

By the time the seventh grader reached the final rounds of the Flossmoor School District 161 spelling bee, the nerves that hit early on had settled. Six rounds later, Frye won the district title inside the Parker Junior High School gym at 2810 School St. in Flossmoor on Thursday night, Jan. 29.

“I was really nervous the first couple of rounds,” Frye said afterward. “But once people started getting out, I just tried to stay focused and not mess up my word.”

Eighteen students from elementary and junior high schools in District 161 competed in the evening spelling bee, which began at 6 p.m. and went longer than expected as spellers continued to advance.

The district spelling bee feeds into the Scripps National Spelling Bee, now in its 101st year.

Parents filled the Parker Junior High gym and stayed through every round. Teachers and administrators showed up to support students from every school in the district.

Fifth-grader Chimerenma Oji was still standing late into the night and finished as the runner-up.

Students advanced from Serena Hills Elementary School, Heather Hill Elementary School, Western Avenue Elementary School, Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, and Parker Junior High School.

The elementary school spellers were Aidan Brown, Skylar Calvert, Charlotte Kelly, Chancellor Lenoir, Chimerenma Oji, Brittney Otubusin, Marcelo Puckett and Cavin Russell III.

Parker Junior High was represented by Ayomikun Adio, Gabriella Barnes, Bree Frye, Amir Margerum, Porter Myrick IV, Mark Perry, Victoria Sanchez, Keelyn Sikkema, Darrick Smith Jr. and Gavin Williams.

Sandy Thompson, the Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) teacher at Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, has helped lead the event for years and spent weeks working with students ahead of the competition.

“They really get to know the language,” Thompson said. “They learn the etymology of words, where they come from, how they’re built, and then they practice together. Watching them get up there and speak confidently, even when they’re nervous, is my favorite part.”

Amabel Crawford, who oversees learning and instruction for the district, spoke about the work students put in before reaching the district level.

“Our students have worked incredibly hard,” Crawford said. “They’ve been practicing consistently, and that really shows.”

The competition included both spelling and vocabulary rounds, with a vocabulary round introduced every fourth round. What was expected to be a four-round contest stretched to six, with eliminations coming on challenging words such as precocious, bayonet, squalor, ratify, and pizzeria.

“I knew the word when he got out,” Frye said. “I had to get myself in the mindset to not mess up mine.”

Frye, who has competed in spelling bees for six years, said her preparation came together late.

“I didn’t really start studying until the last few weeks,” she said. “I focused on the words I didn’t know.”

She had advice for students hoping to compete in the future.

“Keep going,” Frye said. “And wear your favorite outfit. I always do. It helps.”

Frye’s mother, La Frye, watched from the stands.

“That was one of her goals this year,” she said. “I’m just so proud of her.”

Deborah Dunwoody, assistant principal at Western Avenue Elementary School, was also in the crowd.

“They made it to this point,” Dunwoody said. “I’ve seen how hard they worked to prepare. I’m just here to cheer them on.”

Heather Hill Elementary School Principal Evita McNeil-Dobson spoke about the effort it took for students to reach the district level.

“Regardless of what happens, they should be proud of themselves,” McNeil-Dobson said.

Stephanie Wright, the Village of Flossmoor’s community engagement manager, watched students get settled.  

“My favorite part is seeing the kids stretch themselves beyond what they think they’re capable of,” Wright said. “They might be nervous at first, but they push through it, and it’s amazing to watch.”

Frye will advance to the South Cook County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March 5 at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park. Oji will serve as the district’s alternate.

For many in the room, the spelling bee brought back early memories of learning words for the first time, whether from a classroom, a library book, or a favorite show watched after school.

“They love words,” Thompson said. “And when you see the work they’ve put in, it’s worth it.”