Patel wins county spelling bee for the 3rd consecutive year

Straughn Middle School seventh-grader Dhilan Patel was named the Covington County Spelling Bee champion for the third straight year on Friday, February. 3 on the Opp Depot.

He correctly spells”rennet” correctly “rennet” to win the title. He will represent Covington County at the upcoming state spelling bee.

In the Oxford dictionary, the term “rennet” is an adjective. Its definition is “curdled milk that comes from the stomachs of unweaned cow, containing rennin, and being used to curdle cheese making.”

Patel who started spelling at age four, said that this victory has a significant significance to him.

“It’s provided me with another opportunity to take part in and possibly take home this year’s Alabama Spelling Bee and eventually the National Spelling Bee. I’ve worked hard all day and night for many hours and will be preparing for the spelling competitions to come.”

He took his first county title in fifth grade in Straughn Elementary School. He was able to defend his title during the 6th grade class in Straughn Middle School last year.

“I am extremely pleased with the amount I’ve learned about various languages in all of my training for the spelling bees. I am confident about going into the state competition, however I am still a little nervous as I am. I’m eager to see how other spellers from across the state prepared, and how they’ve prepared,” Patel said.

The Alabama Spelling Bee is scheduled on March 18, 2019 on University Hall on the campus of UAB in Birmingham. He was the State champion for 2021. He went on to compete in the state championship and finished in 59th position overall.

“I am going to practice to complete my next test exactly the same way. There will be more advanced vocabulary however I’m confident that I will be able to do my best.”

If he wins again during the Alabama Spelling Bee would send him to the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is scheduled to be held within National Harbor, Maryland, after Memorial Day.

Patel expressed his gratitude to his friends and family for their support during his journey.

“It is a huge blessing for me. I have a very strong network of support, which has helped me succeed at spelling bees, and in other areas of my life too,” he said.

His parents are Neil Patel and Binita Patel. The older sibling, Taj has graduated from Straughn High School.

The article Patel wins the county spelling bee for the third time in a row year was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.