The Robertsville Middle School Spelling Bee was held on Tuesday, January 23. Eighty-one students participated in the bee. After five rounds, four students–sixth graders Emily Salko, Noa Duke, Sophie Sluss, and Ahna Wurm–remained in the bee. Sophie and Noa were eliminated in the the 7th round. After forty-five rounds (an RMS record!), Emily won the bee while Ahna placed second. These girls successfully spelled words like vicissitudes, coquelicot, Kilimanjaro, and ichthyosaurus.

The Jefferson Middle School Spelling Bee was held on Tuesday, January 9. Forty-eight students participated in the bee. Students battled through eighteen rounds until a winner emerged. In the end, seventh grader Nia Maheshwari won the bee. Grace Dobrescu, also a seventh grader, placed second in the JMS bee.

Congratulations to Emily and Nia. Both students will advance to the regional spelling to be held in Knoxville in March 17.