LIMA — Forty-six spellers from schools in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Shelby counties participated in Saturday’s Regional Spelling Bee, sponsored by The Lima News and Superior Credit Union. Dominion Energy Ohio is the sponsor of the awards handed out.
“It’s a wonderful event. We encourage literacy. We support schools with Newspapers in Education programs, so this is an event that we’ll continue to hold for many years to come,” said Barbara Staples, advertising director of The Lima News.
The event really does help develop these youngsters.
“I think they learn to speak better in front of a crowd, which is helpful to everyone. I think it just creates a sense of community with other kids in the school,” Staples said.
It all came down to whether Elise Bell, an eighth-grader from Fairlawn Local Schools, in Sidney, could take down the defending champion, Adith Joshua George, an eighth-grader from Holy Angels School in Sidney.
In round 10, Jaden Ryan, a Bath Elementary School fifth-grader was eliminated after misspelling his word.
In round 11, Bell correctly spelled “dishotomy” and George spelled “stollen” correctly.
But it was in round 12 when Bell misspelled “gynarchy.”
It was up to George to correctly spell his word “Asana,” which he did, and one additional word.
He was given the word “segue” which he correctly spelled for the win.
George will now receive an all expenses paid trip to the 91st Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 19 to 21, in National Harbor, Maryland, near Washington D.C. This is his second trip to the national bee.
“It feels great. A lot of practice goes into this,” George said.
He says he appreciates the whole spelling bee trip.
“It’s a great experience for anyone. It’s not just spelling. It’s spelling and then you get to have a little bit of fun in between too,” he said.
“We appreciate all of the support we get from the community for this and we’ll continue to do it as long as we are around,” said Staples.
The final order for the top three finishers were:
1. Adith Joshua George, Holy Angels Catholic, 8th Grade
2. Elise Bell, Fairlawn Local School, 8th Grade
3. Jaden Ryan, Bath Elementary School, 5th Grade
