GALT, CA (MPG) - “Rebuke.” 

Correctly spelling that word earned fifth-grader Thomas Jung the distinction as Valley Oaks Elementary School’s spelling bee champion last month. 

Eleven other students participated in the 13-round event before Jung was crowned champion. 

Sixth-grader Zoey Stacher earned second place and fourth-grader Beatriz Angeles Juarez took third place.

The participants included: Ashley Rothstein, third grade; Zuleyka Cervantes, third grade; Eric Govea Bautista; third grade; Emily Valenzuela Hernandz, fourth grade; Beatriz Angeles Juarez, fourth grade; Dominick Ibarra Avarez, fifth grade; Gunnar Wardrobe, fifth grade; Riley Hutchason, fifth grade; Thomas Jung, fifth grade; Zoey Stacher, sixth grade; and Natalia Villalobos Hinojosa, sixth grade. 

Guest judges included Wes Cagle, Galt Joint Junior Elementary School District board member; Galt Mayor Shawn Farmer and Galt Joint Union Elementary School District Superintendent Lois Yount.