10/16/2009
TIM UNRUH
Mary Ann Fenske said it was a chore to best the Kansas Senior Spelling Bee field.
Fenske, a retired community college teacher from Wichita, prevailed in the finals after eight rounds at Webster Conference Center.
“I was so impressed with everybody’s knowledge and perseverance. You could tell they were prepared,” said Fenske, 61, who ran a literacy program at Butler Community College, El Dorado, for the final 14 years of her career. Prior to taking that position, she taught English, racquetball, psychology and interpersonal communications.
In 2003, Fenske completed a doctorate degree in communicative disorders and sciences from Wichita State University.
“I went to school for a long time,” Fenske said. “I absolutely love language, love words, always have.”
The third annual state senior bee — coordinated by the Saline County Commission on Aging — attracted 39 spellers from 20 towns across the state. They ranged in age from 52 to 86.


Read more about the spelling bee in Saturday's Salina Journal.