ACES AT THE BEES BOYS EXCEL IN CONTEST.

Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer

CASTAIC - Their test scores have created a buzz around Castaic Middle School, and now two students will test their skills at two larger competitions.

Today, 12-year-old Michael Dewey hopes to spell his way to first place in a regional spelling bee at Skirball Center while 13-year-old Adam Sabol prepares for a geography bee later this month in Sacramento.

Both boys beat out fellow students during two separate competitions held at the school earlier this year and are ready to take their knowledge to the next level.

``It's amazing,'' said Adam. ``I can't wait.''

Michael won the school's spelling bee this year with the word ``contentious.'' It was a coup for the sixth-grade student who surpassed seventh- and eighth-graders during the event with his knack for spelling.

He was determined to do well this time after getting knocked out during the first round of the school spelling bee last year with the word ``modestly,'' said his mother, Felicia Dewey.

``He said his goal was to make it past the first round, and then he came home and said he was the winner,'' she said. ``I was so proud of him for trying.''

His technique? He didn't study as hard as last year. And he doesn't plan to bury his face in the dictionary for Saturday's spelling bee either.

But it doesn't hurt to have a talent for spelling in the first place.

Michael said he naturally thinks about words when he hears them and often spells them in his mind. He didn't realize how playing with words was paying off until third grade, when during a competition he correctly spelled ``hydroelectrically.''

``I honestly have no idea where this comes from,'' he said. ``Sometimes I think about words when I hear them and how to spell them.''

While Michael thinks about spelling and words, Adam thinks about maps and globes.

He got his start with geography when he was 2 and learned all the countries, capitals and flags of the world, said his mother, Renee Sabol.

As he got older, he played geography board games that also sharpened his skills.

So when eighth-grade history teacher Beth Chamberlin quizzed him and five others during the school's geography bee with questions about the Yucatan Peninsula and Vatican City, Adam knew the answers.

He later took a 60-question written geography exam to compete in the state competition. His score landed him a seat in the Sacramento event where he'll test his brain power against approximately 100 others March 31.

When Chamberlin learned that Adam gained geography knowledge from certain board games, she reached for her wallet and headed to the store.

``I ran out and got them for my son,'' she said.

Sue Doyle, [phone]

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Adam Sabol, 13, left, is a champ at geography, while Michael Dewey, 12, is a spelling bee winner. Both students are moving on to larger competitions.

David Crane/Staff Photographer