CENTERBURG – Four students from Centerburg Local Schools will represent their district in the Knox County Spelling Bee on Jan. 12 at the Mount Vernon High School auditorium.

The program starts at 7 p.m. and will be open to the public.

The Centerburg students participated in recent grade-level competitions in their respective buildings.

It took 14 rounds before Aiden Weade emerged as the fifth-grade champion by correctly spelling “pomade.” Kiley Frye was runner-up.

Audrey Carlisle won the sixth-grade title when she spelled “Chicago” in the 11th round. Briley Wager was runner-up.

The seventh-grade championship went to Kaitlin McLaughlin, who correctly spelled “Chicago” after only four rounds. Savannah Tabor finished as runner-up.

The eighth-grade competition lasted 22 rounds before Delaine Carpenter took the title by correctly spelling “roulette.” Anique DiLorenzo was the runner-up.

The Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) facilitates the Knox County Spelling Bee, including winners from the East Knox, Danville, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon public schools. The Mount Vernon Rotary Club provides trophies, certificates, participant T-shirts and refreshments.

Taylor Gingery, the ESC’s gifted and talented coordinator, will be the pronouncer. She served in that role at each of the school bees.

The Knox County commissioners again will serve as judges at the county bee.