T-O-P spellers advance

A pair of seventh graders swept the top two places in the Carrollton Middle School Spelling Bee.

Hayden Hixenbaugh claimed the championship crown by correctly spelling l-o-c-o-m-o-t-i-o-n. Rhemee Beadnell was the runner-up.

Organizer Tim Albrecht said the middle school spelling bee included 19 participants from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Teachers in each grade conducted spelling competitions in the classroom with a designated number from each grade advancing to the district bee, which was held Jan. 12.   

 Hixenbaugh will advance to the Repository Regional Spelling Bee, normally held the first Saturday in March at Glen Oak High School. Beadnell is the alternate. 

Fifth grade spelling bee

A separate spelling bee was held for fifth grade students in the Carrollton school district. 

Addilyn Yingling was declared the winner after correctly spelling e-l-i-m-i-n-a-t-e. Gianna Fritz was named the runner-up. 

Organizer Darin Abel said spelling competitions were held in fifth grade classrooms and the top six fifth grade spellers advanced to the district bee, held in the Performing Arts Center at the high school prior to the middle school bee. He noted one student was unable to participate, reducing the field to five participants. 

Yingling advances to the Repository Regional Spelling Bee. If unable to attend, Fritz will serve as the district representative.