Seventh grader Kirsten Cerdenia isn’t fastuous, but she knows how to spell it.
The word means arrogant or haughty. Kirsten, on the other hand, is hard-working, determined and brainy.
That’s what helped the student at Liberty Junior High School in Burbank win first place in the 16th annual South Cook Intermediate Service Center Spelling Bee Championship last month at Lindon School in Broadview. She’ll be one of the Illinois representatives at the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 26-28 in Washington, D.C.
It’s also her fourth consecutive year of winning the district-wide spelling bee championship.
She was excited to win, though a bit nervous about going to Washington to receive the award.
The accomplishment was the result of hours of practicing spelling hundreds of words on the app WordClub.
“Now I have a bigger vocabulary of words,” said Kirsten.
She’s also an avid reader, especially of nonfiction and history, and enjoys browsing at Barnes & Noble. Right now she’s reading “Grenade” by Alan Gratz and “Lifeboat 12” by Susan Hood.
Physical education and math are her favorite subjects, and she also likes learning about science. She’s in Mathletes and competes on her school’s Scholastic Bowl squad.
“We have to have a lot of knowledge to know the questions,” she said.
When asked how she could remember the spelling of so many words, Kirsten said she would think back to typing a word on her WordClub app. Sometimes she’s relied on her preparation for spelling contests going back three and four years.
All this doesn’t mean she isn’t nervous at the competitions, but she deals with it.
“I just take deep breaths,” said Kirsten.
Her parents, Mary and Jay Cerdenia, both are nurses, which Kirsten said is probably why she wants to become a doctor.
“She’s smart, probably from both of us, but my wife is really smart,” said Jay Cerdenia. “My wife reads a lot and I’m more of a listener … I watch documentaries.”
He said both he and his wife were proud of Kirsten’s wins, but they don’t pressure her.
“If she wins, she wins and if she loses, she loses,” her dad said. “It takes a lot of effort for the kids to do these things, so you don’t need to add more. Whatever a kid accomplishes, as parents, you’d be proud … even if it’s a small thing.”
After her latest win, Kirsten was greeted at the main entrance of Liberty Junior High School by teachers, administrators, Burbank Mayor David Gilgenberg II, fire Chief Danny Alvarez and police Chief Jack Garcia.
“We ambushed her with confetti,” said Carol Sikich, Kirsten’s Accelerated English Arts teacher.
True to form, Kirsten tried to keep walking to get to class on time.
“I couldn’t be late,” she said.
Sikich said she and other staff were in awe of Kirsten and her abilities.
“She’s an exceptional student,” said Sikich. “She has a really good grasp of etymology and the roots of words. “Even if she’s unfamiliar with a word, she’s still able to spell it.”
Sikich said she teaches students all the classic root words from Greek and Latin, “but she (Kirsten) takes it beyond.”
“Yesterday she asked to check out Miriam-Webster’s dictionary, so she could study words,” said Sikich.
But Sikich said Kirsten also endeared herself to her peers and staff.
“She’s an absolute pleasure to have in class,” said Sikich. “She’s kind to her peers, she’s wise beyond her years. “We’re all really rooting for her.”
Some of her classmates and friends are also impressed. Fellow student Olivia Obrochta helped her prepare for a contest.
“We would go in the hallway and I would give her words,” said Olivia. “It was fun and we didn’t have to be in class.”
“I was very surprised when she told me, but at the same time I know what she’s capable of,” said student Lily Merced.
Burbank School District 111 Superintendent Franzy Fleck said the entire district has been brimming with pride over Kirsten’s accomplishments.
“Her hard work and perseverance truly inspire our school community,” Fleck said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
