Melanie Smith of Vicksburg Intermediate, left, reacts as Fatima Chase of Warren Central Intermediate spells the word “optician” to win the Vicksburg Warren School District Spelling Bee Thursday. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

[02/09/01] Fatima Chase, a sixth-grader at Warren Central Intermediate, spelled the word “optician” Thursday morning to become district champion.

“It feels great,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to win.”

The spelling bee was at Bowmar Elementary and involved 11 representatives from Vicksburg’s seven elementaries, two intermediates and two junior highs. About 150 parents, teachers and students attended.

Fatima said she was nervous and felt the most difficult word she had to spell was “acquittal.” She will represent the district at the state competition in Jackson March 28. If she wins, she will advance to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

“We are so proud of Fatima,” Sherry Garman, spelling bee coordinator at Warren Central Intermediate and moderator of the event, said as she congratulated the girl after the bee. “The whole school is going to celebrate.”

Chase’s father, Amos Chase Sr., shared in the excitement. “We’re real proud of her. She studied real hard.”

Garman said teachers at Warren Central Intermediate held practice rounds and reviewed spelling words to prepare students for the competition. She and Fatima’s parents said they plan to attend the state competition in Jackson next month.

Susan Landrum, VWSD media coordinator, said the district spelling bee has been around for at least 20 years and it is held to emphasize the importance of good spelling.

“Spelling is everywhere,” she said.

Words the 11 participants were required to spell at Thursday’s bee included gourmet, pasteurize, tamale and librarian. Words that were missed included tornado, zucchini and mumps.

The pronouncer was Carol George, district psychometrist and speech pathologist.

Other spelling bee competitors were De’Lisha Wiggins of Vicksburg Junior High, Russell Chisolm of Warren Junior High, Stephen Duren of Beechwood Elementary, Jazmyne Clyde of Bowmar Elementary, Marcus Ross of Dana Road Elementary, Natalie Kuchman of Redwood Elementary, Lacey Leist of Sherman Avenue Elementary, Clarissa Walker of South Park Elementary, Kierra Young of Warrenton Elementary and Melanie Smith of Vicksburg Intermediate.