GRACE Christian Academy’s 7th grader Ana Guadalupe Mafnas Villagomez successfully spelled “pugilist” to win the 2022 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, at the Tiyan High School gym on Guam.
Villagomez, 13, bested 39 other competitors from the CNMI and Guam.
The other CNMI spellers who did bell in the regional competition were Northern Marianas International School 7th grader Sean Troy Mateo who finished second; Tinian Elementary School 6th grader Christopher Donald Patio who placed seventh; and Koblerville Elementary School 5th grader Phil William Lumactod who settled for ninth place.
“I’m excited to represent our region in this year’s national competition in Washington, D.C.,” Villagomez said. “I also hope to make new friends and find the time to visit historical places mentioned in the ‘Hamilton’ musical. Thank you to all who helped make this experience possible,” she added.
Her parents, Richard and Jennifer Villagomez, said, “We are very proud of our daughter, Ana. She’s a real trooper with her humility, quiet confidence, independent study habits, self-discipline, and accomplishments. We appreciate all the support and opportunities given to her from Grace Christian Academy, the Public School System, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School. Congratulations, Ana. We love you!”
Ana Villagomez said her bee journey started in the 4th and 5th grades at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.
“I was sent to Guam to represent GTC in the 2019 and 2020 Scripps Regional Spelling Bees. Our Binadu family was amazingly supportive, setting my foundation in all aspects of learning, including the Spelling Bee,” she said.
This year, she said GCA provided her with a chance to once again participate, offering continued encouragement, assistance and support.
Ana Villagomez said time-management and self-discipline were important.
“I researched pronunciations, definitions, language of origin, and even images of unfamiliar words. I discovered many interesting ones along the way, some of my favorites being ‘echelon’ which means tier and ‘oriel’, a bay window. My family occasionally tested me, sometimes mispronouncing words to make it fun and hopefully help me remember them. This year, my dedicated coach and teacher, Ms. Grace Duran, also volunteered her time to study with me after school,” Ana Villagomez said.
“Like the previous competitions, I was hopeful but nervous to be participating in this year’s regional. I had hoped for the best but had no expectations because the other students were pretty strong spellers, too. It wasn’t until I was among the top six and then in the final round that I thought that maybe, just maybe, I had a chance,” she said.
During the regional competition, she said that when she stood up to receive her final word, “pugilist,” “I let out a small smile and asked for the definition. Pugilist happened to be among the extensive words that I had studied over the years.”
“If the letters came out of my mouth correctly, I felt that I had a good chance,” she added. “All the participants worked hard to experience this moment, so I carefully spelled out the word and returned to my seat. My eyes swelled in joy, disbelief, excitement, and relief when I was officially announced champion. It was surreal.”
Pugilist means “a boxer, usually a professional.”
Ana Villagomez is grateful to have participated with a great group of peers and wishes them the best.
“I am also thankful to all who have supported and continue to support me — the GCA Eagle family: Ms. Beth Nunez, Ms. Susan Pajarillaga, Ms. Grace Duran, and all teachers and staff as well as the PSS-GTC family, Dr. Alfred Ada, Mrs. Jackie Quitugua, Mrs. Raena Camacho, Ms. Tawny Barcinas, Ms. Yoly Dela Cruz, and all teachers and staff. And, to my mom, dad, and family, thank you for believing in me. You all have made this possible! “
She looks forward to representing the region in the 2022 National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
“Thank you to Scripps National Spelling Bee, Pacific Daily News, the Notary Club of Guam, and United Airlines for giving me this awesome opportunity!” she added.
Ana Guadalupe Villagomez with her proud parents Jennifer and Richard.
Grace Christian Academy student Ana Guadalupe Villagomez poses for a photo after winning the 2022 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday at the Tiyan High School gym on Guam.
Ana Guadalupe Villagomez with her family members.
Grace Christian Academy’s Ana Guadalupe Villagomez poses for a photo with Public School System Senior Director Jackie Quitugua and Ana’s teacher-coach, Grace Duran, after the seventh grader won the 2022 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on Guam.
