Auburn student wins grand prize at Kumon of Federal Way annual spelling bee

Six additional students named gold winners at the May event.

By Reporter Staff • June 24, 2021 3:30 pm

Of the 35 participants in the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Federal Way annual spelling bee, six students were crowned gold winners and an Auburn student took home the grand prize on May 26.

The 2021 grand prize winner was Isabelle Kurian of Terminal Park Elementary School in Auburn, who also received congratulatory remarks from Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and a scholarship from Kumon of Federal Way.

Mayor Ferrell attended the spelling bee’s final round and awards ceremony, giving “an inspiring speech to our students about the importance of reading and the power of language,” said Sara Oh of Kumon of Federal Way. “He challenged all our students to become a life long learning by discovering what they love.”

Gold winners by grade level:

Kindergarden — Aslam Saleh of Lake Dolloff Elementary School.

First grade — Isaac Kurian of Evergreen Elementary School.

Second grade — Eyueal Nigussie of McMicken Heights Elementary School.

Third grade — Haremela Tesfaye of Neely O’Brien Elementary School.

Fourth grade — Aryam Begasham of St Philomena School.

Fifth grade — Tejasve Singh of Panther Lake Elementary School.

Kumon of Federal Way congratulates all students and their supportive families who participated in this year’s spelling bee.