Local third graders buzz through Greensburg Rotary Club spelling bee

Nearly 30 third grade students from Aquinas Academy, Hempfield Area and Greensburg Salem school districts marched into the Greensburg Salem Middle School auditorium Thursday evening to “Gonna Fly Now,” known colloquially as the “Rocky” movie theme song.

But only Amanda Wang remained on the auditorium stage when “We Are the Champions” by Queen trumpeted through the speakers, signifying her victory in the Greensburg Rotary Club’s 16th annual spelling bee.

Wang, a student at Aquinas Academy, secured her win with the word “xylophone. “

The Greensburg Rotary Club started the spelling bee to expand on a literary program it launched 25 years ago, where the club gave dictionaries to local third grade students.

The spelling bee is meant to kickstart students’ passion for learning, said club president Al Lazar.

As of last week, the club — which formed in 1916 — has given more than $400,000 to more than 300 students pursuing higher education, Lazar said.

“In probably seven or eight short years, these students will be looking for higher education,” Lazar told the audience of the students’ parents, siblings and loved ones. “We do have money and we do grant money to students for higher education.”

The spelling bee participants were selected based on performances in spelling tests and individual class spelling bees held throughout the school year, said rotary board member Shelly Gaffney.

Each participant received a certificate and a gift bag including a t-shirt and a Go Discover Westmoreland book.

Wang will be awarded a plaque and an iPad at a rotary club luncheon, and Aquinas Academy will receive a trophy to put on display in honor of her win.