MANSFIELD – The spelling bee season concluded with the Tri-County championship held on Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Contestants battled for eight rounds before Nevin Zerby, an 8th grader from Highland Local Schools, was declared the champion by spelling the championship word “kelpies.”
Owen Doan, a 7th grader from Mansfield City Schools, and Nathan M., an 8th grader from Lexington, battled back and forth to determine runner-up honors. Doan was victorious by spelling the word “espionage.”
The bee included top performers from both the Crawford/Morrow County and the Richland County bees that were held virtually in January.
Competing in the Tri-County Bee were nine 8th graders, nine 7th graders, two 6th graders, two 5th graders and one 4th grader. Schools represented were Galion, Colonel Crawford, Crestline, St. Joseph School (Crestline), Cardington-Lincoln, Mount Gilead, Highland, Northmor, Sacred Heart, Crestview, Mansfield City, Plymouth-Shiloh, Ontario, Lexington, Mansfield St. Peter’s and Lucas.
Champion: Nevin Zerby
Runner-Up: Owen Doan
“It is a pleasure to host events of this type at Mid-Ohio,” said Leah Barger, the spelling bee coordinator for Mid-Ohio ESC.
“Spelling bees not only give students a chance to compete in a friendly, supportive environment, but they also enhance a wide range of cognitive skills including memory, attention, language-based knowledge and literacy skills.
“We are proud of all of the contestants in the Tri-County Spelling Bee.”