Congratulations to YWP's Elise Cournoyer, elise.writer on YWP, Vermont's 2023 Spelling Bee champion, and Vermont's representative – for the second year in a row – at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where her bio says: "Elise lives beside a river, mountains and a forest in the small, happy town of Richmond, Vermont. Her passions are exploring the outdoors, skiing, biking, climbing, art, writing and more."

Here's a letter that Sen. Bernie Sanders shared in his Bernie Buzz newsletter:

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

With a new school year upon us, I wanted to take a moment to look back and celebrate Vermont’s 2023 spelling bee champion who represented our state this past summer in the 95th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee – for the second year in a row.

This year – after winning the Vermont statewide bee – Elise Cournoyer, a then-eighth grader from Richmond, Vermont, headed to our nation’s capital to compete with 230 other students from across the country and the world. After making it past the preliminary rounds and the quarter finals, Elise was one of just 56 contestants to share the stage in the semifinals. Not bad for a 14-year-old.

Elise sees spelling as just one part of her education. She loves words, wants to be a writer, and is already working on a book.

I hope you will join me in congratulating Elise and watch the video to hear more about her story.

Congratulations again, Elise! You’ve made our whole state proud.

Sincerely,

Bernie