Charging through the championship word “Madagascar,” Alejandro Caraballo cemented his legacy as one of the most successful spellers in Phelps-Clifton Springs School District history.
The eighth grader outlasted 33 competitors, from third through eighth grade, in a 20-round marathon to claim his fourth consecutive Midlakes District Spelling Bee victory. Seventh grader Graham Wakley placed second, while sixth grader Emmerson Kuhn came in third. Both Caraballo and Wakley will move on to represent Midlakes at the Regional Competition in Newark next month. Kuhn will serve as an alternate. Wakley has been a frequent rival, sharing the podium behind Caraballo in past years.
Caraballo’s historic streak began when he placed third as a third grader. He has since dominated the district’s annual competition, emerging victorious every year for the past five years. This win is his final one, as eighth graders are the oldest eligible contestants.
Throughout the competition, Caraballo correctly spelled words such as “sentient,” “vociferous,” “puncheon,” and ultimately “Madagascar.” His goal now is to reach the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, after progressively improving his finishes at the regional level.
Last year’s bee proved especially grueling for Caraballo, ending in his toughest victory to date. Once again battling Wakley, he secured the win by spelling “fanfic,” a word referring to fan-written stories about popular fictional characters. That bee required the use of a backup word list not available during preparations, a rare situation since students typically rely on an official study packet.
Suzanne Russell, a speech-language pathologist at Midlakes Elementary and the event’s coordinator, praised the competitors for their dedication and hard work. “We are proud of each one of you,” Russell said, addressing the participants at the awards ceremony. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and bee-themed cupcakes.
The Midlakes Spelling Bee, held annually, is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program and sponsored by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. This year’s competition carried added significance as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. From its humble beginnings with just nine competitors, the event now provides millions of students the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.
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