On May 2nd, the West Central Missouri Spelling Bee was hosted by Clinton Christian Academy at First Baptist Church of Clinton. The annual event offers students from Clinton Christian Academy, Holy Rosary, Hudson R-IX, Zion Lutheran, Davis R-XII and St. Mary’s to showcase their spelling ability.
The contest is divided into two divisions: grades 1 through 4 and grades 5 through 8. Each school involved sends two students to represent each grade level. The top two spellers in each grade then compete in the final spell off.
First round results were: First grade, Dakota McClure, CCA, 1st and Cole Lewis, Holy Rosary, 2nd; Second grade, Avery Gillis, Holy Rosary, 1st and Gwen Mefford, Davis, 2nd; Third grade, Adeline Willard, CCA, 1st and Liam Howerton, CCA, 2nd; Fourth grade, Ari Hilgenberg, Hudson, 1st and Kolton Womack, Holy Rosary, 2nd; Fifth grade, Brendon Jones, Zion Lutheran, 1st and Bo Sneider, Zion Lutheran, 2nd; Sixth grade, Beau Brownsberger, Hudson, 1st and Brady Booth, Hudson, 2nd; Seventh grade, Baylor Brownsberger, Hudson, 1st, and Carson Steward, St. Mary’s, 2nd; Eighth grade, Brandt Henrich, Davis, 1st and Olivia Engerman, Hudson, 2nd.
All Spelling Bee participants received a certificate of participation. First and second place winners in each grade level received medals, and both final spell off winners received trophies for their overall first place finish.
Points are given for 1st and 2nd place overall by school. The school with the most points receives the traveling plaque. Hudson was the school that totaled the most points and therefore was the overall winner. The overall school winner determines who will host the Spelling Bee next year; therefore, Hudson will host in 2023.
