Knox Pages reported on Oct. 26 that the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center held virtual spelling bees for Crawford, Morrow, Richland and Knox counties, drawing 106 students in grades three through eight.
In the Knox County contest, Centerburg Local Schools seventh grader Remy Bishop won after 15 rounds, the report said. Willow Barnard, a Centerburg eighth grader, finished second.
Arden McCoy, a Galion City School District seventh grader, won the Crawford/Morrow bee after 12 rounds. Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools seventh grader Evangeline Al-Mansur was runner-up. Richland County’s winner was Felix Beeson, an eighth grader at Shelby Sacred Heart School, after 14 rounds; Ontario Middle School seventh grader Charlie Yoakam placed second, according to Knox Pages.
Colleen Haynes, the spelling bee coordinator, told the outlet that participation helps students build vocabulary, reading and writing skills, and understanding of language patterns. She also linked spelling bees to confidence, perseverance and public speaking, and said organizers were proud of every speller.
The Mansfield News Journal sponsored the event, and organizers thanked teachers, coaches, families and volunteers, Knox Pages reported. Top Crawford/Morrow and Richland performers are set to move on to the Mid-Ohio ESC Spelling Bee on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m. Spectators are invited.