05/04/11 After an hour and a half and 17 words spelled correctly, Holly Rowe from Urey Middle School was named the champion speller at the 29th Annual Marshall County Spelling Bee. The event was held in Argos High School on Monday night. This was the fourth year that Rowe had qualified for the county event, but her first championship.
Coming in second was eighth grader Lucy Battersby of St. Michael’s School in Plymouth. Battersby made her third appearance after winning in her home school. She was also the second place winner in last year’s event.
Battersby successfully spelled 15 words correctly before missing the word “suddenness”. Rowe was then challenged to spell the word, but like Battersby misspelled it. Battersby was then given a chance to spell “guerilla” to proceed, but misspelled it as well. Rowe eventually spelled the word “fallacy” to place in the top spot.
Third place, lasting through 13 words, was Cody Detwiler of Argos Junior High. Detwiler is in seventh grade. This was his second qualification to the county level.
The field started with 22 contestants. Twenty-three were listed in the program; however a St. Paul’s Lutheran student failed to show up. There were seven 5th graders, seven 6th graders, three 7th graders and 5 eighth graders in the competition.
Only six contestants lasted through ten words, and then only two were left standing at 14 words. Having used all of the words printed in the study guide published in the newspaper, pronouncer Valerie Cultice, Culver, moved on to harder words.
Judging the event was Vicki Benner of Culver and Julie Hutchinson of Argos.
Coordinator for the event for the last 15 years was Brenda Baker of Argos. After the contest ended, Baker said this was the last time that Argos would be hosting the Spelling Bee. She said it will be held in Culver next year.
Baker thanked the Pilot News for the publicizing the event and supplying trophies for the winners.
Carol Anders Correspondent
