South Coast students took the top three spots in both the elementary- and junior high–level county spelling bees. Fifth grader Rhea Kommerell, who attends Washington Elementary School, won on the word “xenophobic.” Goleta Valley Junior High eighth grader Shaoni White clinched victory with“recessionary.” They, along with Monroe sixth grader Anne Burdette and La Colina Junior High eighth grader Rafael Saavedra, will proceed to the state bee in San Rafael.
