St. Sebastian School Pulls Off Rare Double Feat

MILWAUKEE - St. Sebastian School in Milwaukee is “abuzz” with the news that two 8th grade students have qualified for the state spelling and geography bees.

Ryan Haessly will participate in the 2015 Wisconsin National Geographic State Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek on Friday, March 27, in Madison. Ryan was crowned the St. Sebastian champion during Catholic Schools Week. He qualified for the state competition after a earning a top score on a written qualifying test.

One winner from each state and territory will advance to the national competition, which will be held May 11-13 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Allyson Mills will represent St. Sebastian in the Badger State Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 28, in Madison. Allyson won the St. Sebastian spelling bee, also held during Catholic Schools Week, and captured the Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA) Section III crown last month. The winner of the Wisconsin Bee will travel to Washington, D.C. for the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 24-29.

“Ryan and Allyson are two very dedicated students; their achievements are a testament to their commitment inside and outside the classroom,” said Principal Paul Hohl. “This is the first time in our school’s 101-year history that we have two students representing St. Sebastian in these two state competitions in the same year. I am not aware of this ever happening in the Archdiocese or other schools for that matter. The entire St. Sebastian community is extremely proud of their accomplishments and wishes both of them good luck."

News information provided by St. Sebastian School, Milwaukee.