Ethan Zimmer, an eighth grader at King Philip Middle School, was the first place winner in the town’s spelling bee.

West Hartford Spelling Bee. Courtesy of Jackie Zimmer

By Ronni Newton

A King Philip Middle School eighth grader who said he loves living in West Hartford will proudly represent his hometown at the Connecticut Spelling Bee on March 3, after winning the West Hartford Spelling Bee on Jan. 18.

Ethan Zimmer “is an avid reader which probably contributed to him learning how to spell so well,” said his mom, Jackie Zimmer. “We are so very proud of him!”

“Senescent,” “magistrates,” and “sultanate” were some of the words the participants had to spell correctly to advance, according to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, the sponsor of the bee along with West Hartford Public Schools. There were 21 students who competed, and “tackled challenging words with poise and strength,” a Facebook post about the West Hartford Spelling Bee stated.

Heading into this year’s West Hartford Spelling Bee, Sedgwick Middle School had a three-year winning streak, but now King Philip has the distinction, and will also have a trophy to display.

Along with Ethan, second and third place winners Eliza McClure and Evelyn Greenwalt will represent West Hartford at the statewide bee, which will take place on Sunday, March 3, at the University of Saint Joseph. They will be competing with students from around the state for a chance to represent Connecticut at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

West Hartford Community Interactive recorded the bee, and it can be viewed in its entirety via YouTube below.