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Phenix Elementary School (PES) held its annual spelling bee on Monday, Dec. 9. After the homerooms held their class spelling bees, the winners from each participated in the school’s competition.

Representing first grade were Leila Adams, Avery Overstreet and London Carter. Second grade spellers were Blakely Elder and Berkley Johnson. Third grade contestants were Kinley Bryant and Avarie Lipscomb. Fourth grade was represented by Daniel Ward and Jamarius Gray. William Wade and Jamie Lloyd represented their fifth grade classes.

Principal, Danny Richardson, welcomed everyone and introduced the judges, Margaret Ann Elder, Scotty Hamlett and Rhonda Wilmouth and announcer, Emily Hume.

Round nine marked the elimination round when Bryant was stumped by the word, “vividly.” The two remaining contestants, Gray and Lloyd, fought hard through 19 rounds until Gray misspelled “channel.” Lloyd correctly spelled “comfort” and “tissue” to be declared the spelling bee champion.

Richardson presented the winner, Lloyd, with the spelling bee winner’s trophy. Gray was presented with the trophy for being the spelling bee runner-up. Each of the contestants received certificates congratulating them and thanking them for their participation and hard work to make the PES Spelling Bee so successful.

Lloyd and Gray advance to the Charlotte County Spelling Bee to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Central Middle School.