The Rotary Club of San Juan Islands hosted our 20th Annual Spelling Bee on April 22 at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. Gretchen Jack, a student in McKinnon's eighth-grade class at Friday Harbor Middle School, took first place in this year's Bee and was last year's second-place winner. She received a $200 award; her class and the San Juan School District will also receive checks. Second place winner Hazel Wight, also an eighth grader in Mr. McKinnon's class, received a $100 award; her class and her school will also receive checks. Fun fact: Wight's brother, Owen, was last year's first place winner. A special category was created this year to recognize 4 fourth grade students' participation. Sadie Stringer won the play off and received $100.Eighteen students from San Juan Island elementary and middle schools participated, representing grades four through eight. Rotary volunteers designed the event to be encouraging and student-centered: every participant received a medal and recognition, regardless of the outcome of each round. Paul Mayer was our MC, Scott Sluis was tasked with pronouncer, Shannon Bailey and Michael Soltman were judges, Frank Fagan gave out medals, Holly Henry handled registration, and Barb Fagan provided her delicious cookies. And shout out to Barbara Marrett for submitting excellent article to Peace Arch Journal. 