Maddie Abbott was spelling bee champion after spelling five words correctly in four rounds of Scripps National Spelling Bee competition at South Whitley Elementary School Thursday, December 19.
The event began with 20 competitors, all fifth and sixth graders. After round 1, 11 spellers remained. Round two’s rough words dropped eight more spellers, leaving three contestants in round 3: Karlie Prater, who misspelled flailed and Zeke Sexton, who successfully spelled argument and Abbott, who spelled membrane correctly.
Sexton misspelled voyage in round four. Abbott finished the final round with military and ballerina.
Abbott will advance to county competition. Sexton would take her place if she is unable or unwilling to compete.
Abbott is a fifth grader in Abigail Stewart’s class; Sexton is a fifth grader in Jessica Long’s class.
SWES sixth grade teacher Marc Green was the pronouncer. Interim superintendent Dr. Tom Edington, and school board members Georgia Tenney and Deb Thomas were judges.
Joel Holsopple is SWES principal.
