Bucholz wins county spelling bee

Ekalaka eighth grader Braxton Bucholz won the 2022 Carter County Spelling Bee last Friday. Bucholz and Alzada School student Tanner Wright battled back and forth for several minutes before a winner was declared. Hammond School had a strong showing as well, with students taking third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

The spelling bee was directed by Tracey Walker with assistance from Tricia Lovec and Lynn Williams. Jerry Cline, Vicki Fix and Mikel Fruit served as judges. Brice Lambert was this year's pronouncer. The day marked the first spelling bee held in the county since 2019; no bee was held the last two years due to COVID. It was also the first time cash prizes were awarded to the top three placers.