On Saturday, Feb. 22, students from grades four through eight competed in the annual Grayson County Spelling Bee. The spellers represented Leitchfield Christian Academy (LCA), St. Paul Catholic School and the Grayson County Public Schools.

Frances Jones was the pronouncer for the event held in the auditorium of the Grayson County Middle School.

Brandon Cook, an eighth grader at GCMS is the champion speller of the 7th/8th grade division for the second year. This win entitles Cook to represent Grayson County in the Kentucky Derby Festival Spelling Bee to be held at the Seelbach Hilton in Louisville next month. Kentucky Farm Bureau sponsors the state level contest. Cook is the son of Randy and Theresa Cook. His language arts teacher is Stephanie Horne.

Other top finishers were: 7th/8th grade: Second Place was Amanda Fleener-GCMS, daughter of Roger and Tracy Schweitzer. Third place was Alexis Ross-GCMS daughter of Kevin and Tandy Embry.

In the sixth-grade division Andrew Clark-GCMS, son of Kevin and Paula Clark took first place. Erica Higdon-St. Paul, daughter of Keith and Connie Higdon took second place. Nicholas Conder-GCMS, son of Melissa Conder placed third.

In the fifth-grade division Zachary Wasson-Caneyville, son of Mary Alice Barker won first. Nicholas Schmierer-Wilkey, son of Thomas and Ronda Schmierer took second. Cole Phelps-Lawler, son of Glen and Angela Phelps took third place.

In the fourth-grade division Stephan Nottingham-LCA, son of Jeff and Shannon Nottingham, took first. Ginny-Lynne Sexton-LCA, daughter of Kenny and Gina Sexton, placed second. Tessa Pressley-Wilkey, daughter of Paul and Jannene Pressley, placed third.