FREDERICKTOWN – Four students will represent Fredericktown Local Schools in next month’s 65th annual Knox County Spelling Bee. They won their recent in-school, grade-level bees.
Tanner Philpott won the fifth-grade title, correctly spelling “council” after 12 rounds that began with 17 participants. Zoey Elliston was runner-up.
The sixth-grade title went to Jace Smith, who won by correctly spelling “stockade” in the 22nd round. Raelyn Guerro earned runner-up honors.
Carsyn Adkins prevailed as the seventh-grade winner, correctly spelling “surcharge” in competition that lasted only four rounds. Braylen Stone was runner-up.
Caleb Cobb earned the eighth-grade win, correctly spelling “crannies” after eight rounds. Runner-up honors went to Jacob Kalmon.
The four winners will advance to compete against in-school bee winners from Centerburg, Danville, East Knox and Mount Vernon in the county bee at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Mount Vernon High School theater. The Knox County commissioners will serve as judges.
The bee is facilitated by the Knox County Educational Service Center (ESC) with financial support from the Mount Vernon Rotary Club.
Taylor Gingery, the ESC’s gifted and talented coordinator, helps to arrange the in-school bees and will be the pronouncer at the county bee.