Lincoln Middle School student Hazel Purins represented Alameda County at the Junior High State Spelling Bee Championship Saturday, May 5, in San Rafael. She finished 28th out of 50 at the state competition. She topped 27 other spellers who finished first or second in their respective counties.

“She was kind of bummed she didn’t spend more time training,” stated Hazel’s mom, Carrie, in an email. “She heard that the top three finishers would get recommendations so they could compete in the Scripps National Bee, and that was news to us.”

Hazel began her journey by finishing sixth at the Alameda Spelling Bee held in February at 
Otis Elementary School. She then finished second at the Alameda County Junior High Spelling Bee held March 10 at Canyon Middle School in Castro Valley. 

Just the top two contestants advance to the state competition. Hazel and Anisha Rao, who finished first on the county level, represented Alameda County at the state level.