East Knox names four champions for upcoming Knox County Spelling Bee

Students from grades 5-8 advance to the Jan. 14 county competition at Mount Vernon High School

Knox Educational Service Center Knox Educational Service Center For Knox Weekly News

Published December 14, 2025 - 5:00 a.m.

East Knox Junior High spelling bee winners include, from left, Audrey Williams, seventh-grade runner-up; Jace Daugherty, seventh-grade champion; Callie May, eighth-grade champion, and Aidyn Phom, eighth-grade runner up.

Jackson Daugherty, Marley Moore, Jace Daugherty and Callie May will represent East Knox in next month’s annual Knox County Spelling Bee.

The four emerged as champions in their recent in-school, grade-level bees.

Jackson Daugherty won the fifth-grade title by correctly spelling “lurches” after eight rounds. Hollis Banks was runner-up in a field of eight participants.

Moore claimed the sixth-grade championship when she correctly spelled“prestigious” in the 12th round. Maddie Dale was runner-up among six spellers.

East Knox Elementary School spelling bee winners, from left, are: Hollis Banks, fifth-grade runner-up; Jackson Daugherty, fifth-grade winner; Marley Moore, sixth-grade champion, and Maddie Dale, sixth-grade runner-up.

Jace Daugherty emerged from a field of six to win the seventh-grade title by correctly spelling “et cetera” in the eighth round. Audrey Williams was runner-up.

Callie May was the sixth-grade champion, correctly spelling “equestrian” in the third round. Aidyn Phom was runner-up in a field of nine.

The four champions will advance to compete against grades 5-8 bee winners from Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon in the county bee at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Mount Vernon High School auditorium. The Knox County Commissioners will again serve as judges.

In-school bees in other districts will continue through December.

The county bee is facilitated by the Knox County Educational Service Center with financial support from the Mount Vernon Rotary Club.

Taylor Gingery, the ESC’s gifted and talented coordinator, helps to arrange the in-school bees in each district and will be the pronouncer at the county bee.