Sixth-grader Jacobo Guiterrez is preparing for a big spelling test on March 15. Studying more than 2,000 words, the Treasure Village Montessori student will square off against 25 other spellers in the 83rd annual Miami Herald Spelling Bee.
If Gutierrez wins the spelling bee, he will be on his way to Washington, D.C., along with 200 spellers across the country, for the Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 28.
Kelly Mangel, TVM principal, said Gutierrez won the first round of competition by coming out the top speller at school. A second round saw Gutierrez taking an online spelling test, which more than 150 students were taking across South Florida. Gutierrez made it out of the second round.
Mangel said Gutierrez comes from a family of serious spellers. His sister, Gabriella, won the TVM spelling bee during her fourth- and fifth-grade years.
“He’s dedicated and wants to do well,” Mangel said. “He literally goes home and studies every day.”
