Cooper Elementary fifth grader Ariana Arbelaez is the 2015 Johnston County Schools’ Elementary Spelling Bee champion.
Ariana correctly spelled “algorithm” to take home the spelling bee trophy during the competition held at Selma Elementary School. Her teacher Amanda 
Hedrick, a former Cooper student, was pleased to have her student as the winner.
Hedrick, a former Cooper student, was pleased to have her student as the winner. “Ariana is a hard working student who succeeds at anything she puts her mind to. I am so excited for her to have this opportunity,” said Hedrick. “Her enthusiasm shines through every day and she sets a great example for all of the other students around her. She represents all that Cooper Elementary strives for,” she added.
According to Cooper spelling bee coach and media specialist Michele Byrd, Ariana is a prolific reader and loves learning new vocabulary, which are some of the reasons she did so well at the competition. Her determination and her study ethics are examples for other students who want to follow in her footsteps.
“It was amazing to work with Ariana as her coach in preparing for the JCS Elementary Spelling Bee. She has had a goal to go to the county level since the third grade. even though she had to wait until the fourth grade to participate in the Cooper Bee,” said Byrd. “Arianna has a very bright future and is going to be successful in what ever she sets her mind to in the rest of her school career and beyond.”
