Jackson Daugherty, Marley Moore, Jace Daugherty, and Callie May have been selected to represent East Knox in the upcoming Knox County Spelling Bee. The students secured their spots by winning their respective grade-level spelling competitions at East Knox.
Jackson Daugherty took the fifth-grade title after eight rounds by spelling “lurches” correctly. Hollis Banks was named runner-up among eight participants. In the sixth grade, Marley Moore won by spelling “prestigious” in the 12th round, with Maddie Dale as runner-up from a group of six spellers.
Jace Daugherty became the seventh-grade champion by correctly spelling “et cetera” in the eighth round. Audrey Williams finished as runner-up out of six competitors. Callie May claimed victory for the eighth grade, successfully spelling “equestrian” in the third round. Aidyn Phom was runner-up among nine participants.
These four students will compete against other winners from Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown, and Mount Vernon at the county-wide bee scheduled for January 14 at 7 p.m., which will be held in the Mount Vernon High School auditorium. The event’s judges will again be members of the Knox County Commissioners.
Other districts are continuing their own school-level bees throughout December. The county bee is organized by the Knox County Educational Service Center and receives financial backing from the Mount Vernon Rotary Club.
Taylor Gingery, gifted and talented coordinator for the Educational Service Center (ESC), helps arrange these competitions across districts and will serve as pronouncer during next month’s county bee.
