EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The 2024 National Spanish Spelling Bee was held in El Paso on Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27, and hosted by Education Service Center Region 19 (ESC19) for the third consecutive year.
The National Spanish Spelling Bee was held at the scenic Starlight Event Center located at 6650 Continental Drive.
Numerous contestants from around the U.S. attended the competition this week, some being from the El Paso region.
Ferran Martinez Caloca, 11, is from El Paso and goes to Mesita Elementary. He’s currently in the 5th grade and says the competition can be difficult at times.
“You get nervous and when you see the words that they give others sometimes you doubt about it but it’s about luck too. It depends if you get a hard one or easy one,” Ferran said.
Natalia Acosta, 13, is from Las Cruces and goes to Mesa Middle School. She’s currently in the 7th grade and says the competition is cool but it can also be nerve-wracking.
“It’s very cool but you do get nervous a lot, but this is my third year so its been very nice,” Natalia said.
Natalia was declared co-champion in last year’s National Spanish Spelling Bee and won an $800 dollar prize.
A total of 30 contestants competed at the National Spanish Spelling Bee and a winner will be announced at around 6 p.m. on Thursday.
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