Stuart wins spelling bee

System spelling bee winners were Shelley English, second place; Matt Stuart, first place; and Garrett Cleveland, third place. The Early County School System Spelling Bee was Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Early County Middle School. Spellers competed at their grade levels to determine who moved on to school competition and at their schools to determine who moved on to the system level.

The 2008-2009 first place winner was Matt Stuart, an eighth grader and son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Stuart. Second place winner was Shelley English, seventh grader and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie English. Third place winner was Garrett Cleveland, eighth grader and son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cleveland.

Other participants were fourth graders, Jacob Benton, Kiara Lovett and alternate Whitney Hardy; fifth graders, Deandre Powell, Kayla Meeks and alternate Jeremiah Mincey; sixth graders, Brandon Webb, Tia Taylor and alternate Diondre Williams; seventh graders, Tracy Blocker and alternate Gabrielle Walker; and eighth grade alternate Shayonna Jones.

Superintendent Kenneth Hall welcomed the spellers and guests. Judges were Phyllis Craft, Susan Wiggins and Kay Willis. Dr. Brownyn Ragan-Martin, system curriculum director, served as caller.