Fredericktown spellers earn ticket to county bee

Carsyn Adkins, Sophia Workman, Cross Adkins and Parker Fearn will represent Fredericktown Local Schools in next month’s Knox County Spelling Bee.

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

Fearn won the fifth-grade title by correctly spelling “fabulous” and “anguish” to conclude the 10th round. Gracelynn Lyons was runner-up in a field of 18 competitors.

Cross Adkins correctly spelled “whittled” and “fiberglass” to emerge as sixth-grade champion after nine rounds. Tanner Philpott was runner-up in a field of nine.

Sophia Workman claimed the seventh-grade title by correctly spelling “prestigious” and “courier” to end five rounds that began with nine spellers. Lachian Flint was runner-up.

The eighth-grade championship went to Carsyn Adkins, who correctly spelled “chartreuse” and “Nehru” to conclude the fourth round. Cora Frye was runner-up among 11 participants.

The four champions will advance to compete against grades 5-8 bee winners from Centerburg, Danville, East Knox 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.

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.