MOUNT VERNON – Lucas Colopy prevailed as the 2023 Knox County Spelling Bee champion Thursday evening. The East Knox sixth-grader won by spelling “movement” in the 15th round.

Mount Vernon eighth grader Jonathan Green was runner-up. He stumbled when attempting to spell “breakneck.”

The 63rd Knox Bee began with 19 students in grades 5 through 8 – winners of grade-level bees at Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon – on stage in the Mount Vernon High School auditorium.

Colopy and Green had correctly spelled difficult words before pronouncer Taylor Gingery announced that the list of words given to participants to study had been exhausted. She turned to a prepared list of other words that eventually decided the outcome.

The Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) facilitates the county bee. Gingery, the ESC gifted and talented consultant, coordinated the school bees and Thursday’s finale.

Colopy and Green received trophies and Walmart gift cards. In addition, all participants were provided t-shirts, certificates of achievement and gift cards to Colonialbooks Kids Shelf.

The Mount Vernon Rotary Club paid for the awards and refreshments as in past years.

“On behalf of the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon, as well as the club’s foundation, we consider it an honor to be a primary sponsor of the Knox County Spelling Bee,” said club president Dena Hess-McKinstry. “Education in our community is vital to its growth as well as its integrity. The Mount Vernon Rotary Club places great emphasis on education and outreach. Congratulations to all of the participants, and best of luck during the remainder of your school year.”

Knox County Commissioners Teresa Bemiller, Thom Collier and Bill Pursel served as judges Thursday evening.