Home-Schooled Cooperstown Girl Wins Spot At National Spelling Bee

3-12-10

Isabella Penola reigned champion when 24 spellers met at the eight annual Regional Spelling Bee Saturday, March 6 at SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theater.
Her winning word was “s-e-v-r-u-g-a”: a Caspian Sea sturgeon whose small gray roe is used for caviar.
Daughter of John and Lora Penola, Isabella is home-schooled in Cooperstown.  She qualifies for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in June.
CCS’ Sarah Siegel, daughter of Tim and Maureen Siegel, came in second.  “H-o-m-b-u-r-g” stumped her.