Man of mystery: Winner of Richland County Spelling Bee didn't tell anyone in his class
Owen Doan is the Richland County Spelling Bee Champion! Congratulations, Owen. He competed against 42 other contestants from various districts around the county. We will present the award at the Tri-County Spelling Bee at Mid-Ohio on Thursday, February 13th.
Owen Doan doesn't like to draw attention to himself.
The eighth grader at Spanish Immersion School didn't even tell his class that he won the Richland County Spelling Bee on Thursday.
"When I went to his class to congratulate him, the other students were, like, 'What, you won?''' adviser Jennifer Osberg said.
The annual Richland County Spelling Bee was held virtually Thursday morning at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Doan's championship word was "disagreeable."
"I was surprised. I didn't think I would win," Doan said. "I feel like I wouldn't have won if I hadn't studied so much, but I still didn't expect it."
He read books and reviewed lists of words in preparation. Doan is an avid reader.
"The more you read, the more vocabulary you have and the more words stick in your head," Osberg said. "I think that's a key to his success."
Spelling bee champion skipped a grade
Doan has been an academic success since he began school. He skipped first grade, going from kindergarten to second grade.
"He's pretty motivated to get things done and to do his best," Osberg said.
Doan said his favorite subjects are science, art and "once in a while, English."
Osberg was Doan's teacher in third and fifth grade at Spanish Immersion.