Feature Stories

Minnetonka Students Take Top Honors at Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee

Minnetonka students swept the podium at the Twin Cities Regional Spelling Bee in early March, placing first, second and third in the competition. 

After eight intense rounds, Wade Salvey from Scenic Heights Elementary successfully spelled “toorie” (a tassel on a Scottish bonnet) to win the competition. The accomplishment earned Salvey the opportunity to represent the Twin Cities at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland this May. Minnetonka students Maya Riedner (Clear Springs Elementary) and Kai Riedner (Minnetonka Middle School West) finished in second and third place at regionals. Kai Riedner represented the Twin Cities region at the national bee in 2024.

Salvey had not competed in a spelling bee before this year. “I got started because my teacher suggested I take the written qualifier for the school spelling bee,” he shared. His preparation for the regional bee included studying a packet of provided words for the school contest and then moving on to using the Word Club app from Scripps to prepare for regionals. While he does not have a favorite word to spell, “words with multiple vowels next to each other are quite fun,” said Salvey.

“I did not expect that I would win, so this was a big surprise,” Salvey shared. “I am still in a little bit of a disbelief stage.” He shared that he’s looking forward to visiting monuments and famous landmarks on the East Coast during the extra time afforded during his trip later this spring. 

Way to go, Wade, Maya and Kai! We are proud of each of you, and we will be cheering you on in the national competition later this spring, Wade. 
 

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Minnetonka High School and Elementary Students Connect Through Flight

Students took a field trip to visit some MHS MOMENTUM Aviation students in the flight classrooms at the school district’s VANTAGE MOMENTUM Building. There, the elementary students interviewed high schoolers about their end-of-semester projects and then got to be co-pilots in the program’s flight simulators. 

Text graphic displaying "Thank you! National School Counseling Week, Feb. 2-6"

From February 2–6, Minnetonka Schools joined districts and organizations across the country in celebrating National School Counseling Week, a time to recognize the essential role school counselors play in supporting students’ academic success, social-emotional well-being and future readiness.