The Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council (NEPA MAEC) is thrilled to recognize the hard work, dedication, and incredible spelling skills of Rowena Cresswell-Blickley, a seventh-grade student from Blue Mountain Middle School, who emerged victorious at the 2025 NEPA MAEC Regional Spelling Bee. With an unwavering focus and remarkable perseverance, Rowena correctly spelled “orthochromatic” in the 15th round to claim the championship and earn a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.A Journey of Perseverance
For Rowena, the fourth time was truly the charm. Having competed in the countywide spelling bee since fourth grade, she had previously finished as high as third place twice and ninth place once. This year, she powered through seven intense final rounds against two other talented spellers—Jeffrey Salcedo of Mahanoy Area Elementary and Riley Jordan of DHH Lengel Middle School—before securing the championship title.
Her winning word, “orthochromatic,” a term used in photography, initially made her hesitate. “I was like, ‘uh-oh,’” she told Joshua Sophy of the Coal Region Canary after the event. She asked to have the word repeated several times, carefully considering each letter before beginning. “For ‘ortho,’ the first part, I was like, ‘It’s going to be an ‘A’ or an ‘O’ at the end.’” As she spelled, she suddenly paused, realizing she almost forgot to say the ‘R’ in ‘-chromatic.’ “I stopped for a second and thought, ‘I really hope I don’t mess this one up.’” When the confirmation tone sounded, signaling her correct spelling, Rowena shook with excitement on stage, overcome with emotion.
Afterward, still in disbelief, she shared, “Kind of insane … I did not expect it at all. I was rehearsing in my bathroom. I’m kind of baffled. I’m astonished right now. I did not think I’d make it here.” To celebrate, she planned a well-earned trip to Dunkin’ and hoped to pick up a K-pop album.
The Road to Success
Rowena’s journey to the championship was no accident; it was built on dedication and practice. Inspired by her father, Chris Blickley, a former spelling bee competitor himself, she took her preparation seriously. She used the Word Club app to sharpen her skills and worked closely with her coach, Stephanie Gaddy. Her mother, Jillian Cresswell, was also an unwavering supporter throughout the process.
It all paid off when she confidently spelled words like “genocidal” and “agave” on her way to victory. Her impressive list of championship words, including “adsum,” “enviable,” “flexitarian,” and “daffodil,” demonstrated the depth of her vocabulary and preparation.
A Specially Crafted Award
The champion’s trophy Rowena received is more than just an award—it’s a symbol of the talent and craftsmanship within Schuylkill County. Designed and built by students Bradley Kostishak and Chase Zeigenfuss in the Precision Machine Trades Program at Schuylkill Technology Center, the trophy showcases the skills and dedication of local students preparing for careers in manufacturing. In addition to the trophy, Rowena was awarded a $50 gift card provided by the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society.
Looking Ahead to Nationals
With her ticket to the Scripps National Spelling Bee secured, Rowena is looking forward to the next chapter in her spelling journey. “I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s really interesting to go and represent my school, Blue Mountain Middle School, on a national stage.”
The Scripps National Spelling Bee will be held from May 27-29 in Washington, D.C., where Rowena will compete against the best young spellers in the nation. As she prepares for this incredible opportunity, her community, school, and supporters will be cheering her on every step of the way.
A Community Effort and Heartfelt Thanks
The 2025 NEPA MAEC Regional Spelling Bee was coordinated by Schuylkill Technology Center and took place at DHH Lengel Middle School in Pottsville Area School District. The event featured 42 competitors and 20 alternates representing Schuylkill County public and non-public schools.
The spelling bee was made possible thanks to the dedication of many individuals. Ms. Karen Durkin served as the pronouncer, while a distinguished panel of judges—including Cynthia Mensch of Alvernia University, former National Spelling Bee competitor Devina Singh, and Joshua Sophy of the Coal Region Canary—ensured fairness in the competition. Joshua Sophy also attended and reported on the event for Coal Region Canary. Other key contributors included Ashley Hess of Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, who served as recordkeeper, Appeals Judge Cathy Bronakowski, and Emcee Shannon Brennan of Schuylkill Technology Center.
NEPA MAEC was proud to sponsor the event and present awards alongside Schuylkill Technology Center, which played a major role in organizing the competition. The Pottsville Area School District generously provided the auditorium at no cost, ensuring a wonderful venue for the students to compete.
NEPA MAEC extends a heartfelt thank you to Shannon Brennan and the Schuylkill Technology Center team for their exceptional organization of this event. It is through their hard work and dedication that students like Rowena get to showcase their skills and have the opportunity to excel at such a high level.
Congratulations to Rowena Cresswell-Blickley and all the talented students who competed in this year’s spelling bee. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing what the future holds for you!
(Sources: Coal Region Canary, Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council, Schuylkill Technology Center)