With over 47 students competing for the title, Phalne Hammond claimed victory in the recent spelling bee at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School. Phalne correctly spelled the word “salinity” in order to win first place. Claudia Chu was second runner-up, and Delonte Harris came in third. Phalne forges ahead to compete in the Fulton County Bee on Feb. 2 at Ison Springs Elementary School. Debra Oxford, assistant principal, and Emily Payne, the language arts school contact, conducted the school bee in the media center.

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