Jessica Erwin of West Middle School Wins Annual Spelling Bee

West Rowan Middle School seventh-grader Jessica Erwin won this year’s Rowan-Salisbury Schools Spelling Bee, held Feb. 14 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Teaching Auditorium.

Rowan Business Alliance Executive Vice-President Richard Perkins, President Jimmy Greene and Past President Janet Haynes were on hand as $5,225 in prizes and awards were given out to contestants. As the top speller, Erwin won a $500 academic scholarship from the Rowan Business Alliance Association, a $1,000 Dell computer system, a $50 gift certificate from Ralph Baker’s Shoes, a 1-year membership to the Rowan County YMCA, $75 in cash, and a $75 contribution to her school’s media center.

“That is more than I have heard from any other county,” Master of Ceremonies Karl Hales said of the dollar amount of prizes given for the spelling bee. Hales, a communications professor at Catawba College, lauded Rowan Business Alliance and its commitment to the event year after year. “This is one of the ways that Rowan Business Alliance demonstrates its dedication to making the community a better place,” he said.

The 25 contestants fidgeted nervously on stage as Hales gave instructions, to them and to the audience. “These students are winners already, or they wouldn’t be here,” Hales said. “We want to congratulate them all.” In the end, Erwin’s stiffest competition came from Caroline Wood of Isenberg Elementary, who took second place; Arjee Restar of Knox Middle School, the third place winner; and Brittany Sweat of Enochville Elementary, fourth place winner.

This was the third county spelling be for Erwin, 12, daughter of Carla and Danny Erwin. Judges for the event were Linda Sufficool, Jane Fallis and Kelly Feimster. Coordinators were Julie Joslie and Judy Rocco. Rowan Business Alliance sponsored the spelling bee with support from 56 local businesses. To find out more about becoming a sponsor of the annual event, contact Richard Perkins at 704-636-3629, ext. 226.

Rowan Business Alliance teams up with The Salisbury Post and the Rowan-Salisbury Schools each year for this annual event. The annual Spelling Bee is a great example of our members working to better education in our community. Each year bright young students come to compete with their mental skills. Rowan Business Alliance, founded in 1925 to promote all matters of interest to the local business community, remains dedicated to education and the youth of our area.


2006 Rowan-Salisbury Spelling Bee Sponsors

Bill’s Exterminating Co., Inc.
Chick-Fil-A
Cheerwine Bottling Company
Cooperstown Dreams Park
Crescent Pharmacy, Inc.
Dan Nicholas Park
Desco, Inc.
Downtown Graphics Network, Inc.
Enochville Elementary School
F&M Bank
Farrington Family Medical Center
First Bank
Fleming Candy Company
Foil’s Spee Dee Mart, Inc.
Food Lion, LLC
Forest Glen Realty
Godley’s Garden Center
Great American Publishing Company
Hank Palmer & Associates
Hardiman & Son Furniture
Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc.
James Animal Hospital
James T. Oxendine, Attorney at Law
John C. Webb, DDS, PA
K-Dee’s Jewelers, Inc.
Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home
Marie’s Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts (Salisbury Emporium)
Nazareth Children’s Home
Norman K. Nakaji, DDS, PA
Noah’s Playloft Preschool, Inc.
Patterson Farm, Inc.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Powles Funeral Home
Progress Energy
Rowan County YMCA
Ralph Baker’s Shoes
RWBT, Inc.
Rico Tile & Marble Company
Ronald Woodward, CPA, PA
Rowan County Agricultural & Industrial Fair
Salisbury Flower Shop
Salisbury-Rowan Association of Realtors, Inc.
Salisbury Surgical Associates, PA
Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council
Sam’s Car Wash, Inc.
Select Services, Inc.
Shaver Wood Products
Stout Heating & Air Conditioning
Steve Yang, DDS, PA
SunTrust Bank
Superior Oil Company, Inc.
Summersett Funeral Home, Inc.
T. Wayne Wilson, DDS
Town of Granite Quarry
Tri-Electric, Inc.
Wachovia Bank, N.A.

 

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