Press Release

Contact: Cindy Ardis Jenkins
Phone: 309.402.0030, ext. 308 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/13/2012

RESULTS OF CONCEPT SCHOOLS’ WESTERN REGION SPELLING BEE

(Peoria, IL)- On Saturday, March 10, 2012, 46 students from six schools competed for the title of the Concept Schools’ Western Region Spelling Bee hosted by Quest Charter Academy in Peoria, Illinois.

Students in 5th-8th grades from Chicago Math and Science Academy, Gateway Science Academy St. Louis, Indiana Math and Science Academy North, Indiana Math and Science Academy West, Minnesota School of Science, and Quest Charter Academy had advanced from their individual school Bee.

Tanya Koonce, News Director at WCBU in Peoria, IL, served as the Pronouncer for the Bee and the judges were Honorable Reverend Linda Butler, President of the Peoria Public School District 150 Board of Education, and Dr. Gerald Brookhart, Superintendent of Regional Office of Education District 48.

An audience of approximately 50 sat on the edge of their seats as the field of contestants decreased to the final two in the tenth round. Quest Charter Academy 5th grade student, Darius Jackson, won the Bee and SeemaGlyasuddin from Chicago Math and Science Academy was the first runner-up. These two spellers along with 10 finalists will compete in the Concept Schools Spelling Bee in Chicago on March 23. The overall team winner was Quest Charter academy.

Darius Jackson, Quest Charter Academy –

Regional Champion

SeemaGlyasuddin, CMSA – Runner-up

TseonKassie, CMSA

Jack Rominger, IMSA West

Chloe Cherry, GSA-St. Louis
Stella Horton, GSA-St. Louis

Taylor McLamb, IMSA West

Joseph Cheneler, Quest Charter Academy

Macia Williams, Quest Charter Academy

Esmeralda Arellano, CMSA

Timothy Joyner, IMSA North

Kevin Paton-Cole, IMSA North

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Concept Schools, a not-for-profit charter school management company, manages 27 tuition-free, high performing, college preparatory schools in the Midwest with a math, science and technology emphasis.

Quest Charter Academy - First opened in the 2010-2011 school year for 5th-7th grade students, Quest Charter Academy is a privately-funded public school that is open to all students regardless of academic and financial background. The school’s teachers and students have flexibility to create innovative ways of teaching and learning in order to meet the specific needs of the students allowing them to attain high standards of performance. Today, Quest offers 5th-8th grades and will add a new grade level until it is a 5th-12th school with a total population of 600 students.The ultimate goal of Quest Charter Academy is to provide students with a curriculum rich in science, technology, engineering and math and prepare them to be skill-ready for post-secondary education, to become bold inquirers, problem solvers and ethical leaders enabling them to meet the challenges of a competitive global workforce.Quest Charter Academy is currently accepting applications for 5th-9th grade students for the 2012-2013 school year.