59th annual Jackson County Spelling Bee announced

The county champion will receive a first prize of $100.00, a spelling medal, a trophy for the school, and $50.00 for expenses to the 2013 Arkansas State Spelling Bee being held in early March. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sponsors the Arkansas State Spelling Bee and the state winner will compete in the National Spelling Bee held this summer in Washington, D.C.

The second place winner will receive $50.00, while third place will be awarded $25.00. The top speller in grades two through four will receive $15.00. Each contestant will receive a $2.00 bill, a participant’s ribbon, and lunch at the Pizza Hut.

Participants from each district are:

Jackson County School District:

2nd grade―Mackenzie Soden, age 8, daughter of Chad & Micahlene Soden
 Brandon Smith, age 8, son of Deanna & Jason Smith

3rd grade―Lexi Taylor, age 9, daughter of Melissa Brock
Malachi Gates, age 9, son of Brandon & Jacquelyn Gates

4th grade―Karlee Blevins, age 9, daughter of Lora & Dewayne Blevins
 Luke Etheridge, age 10, son of Rachel & Mark Etheridge

5th grade―Cassie Reynolds, age 10, daughter of Nichole Henson & Trevor Reynolds
 Hunter Webb, age 11, son of Shannon & Samantha Webb

6th grade―Kaitlyn Adams, age 11, daughter of Terry Adams & Cathy Lockhart
 Breannah Porter, age 12, daughter of Betty Porter

7th grade―Will Bradley, age 12, son of Robbie & Jennifer Bradley
 Faith Davis, age 13, daughter of William T. & Donita Davis

8th grade―Andrew Flowers, age 13, son of Melissa Flowers & Donnie Flowers
 Hannah Pitts, age 14, daughter of Lynn Pitts & Waylon Pitts

Newport School District:

2nd grade―Scott Gowan, age 8, son of Scott & Cindy Gowan

3rd grade – Anthony Walton, age 8, son of Anthony Walton & Ashley Walton
Miller Wallace, age 8, son of Bentley & Darby Wallace

4th grade―Omarion King, age 9, son of Linda Harris
Erica Lore, age 9, daughter of Dennis & Melissa Lore

5th grade―Kayle Fite, age 10, daughter of Greg & Drucilla Fite
Alexis Claeys, age 10, daughter of Jon & Lucinda Claeys

6th grade―Sequoyah King, age 11, daughter of Chris & Stephanie King
Brett Bennett, age 11, son of Gary & Dana Bennett

7th grade―Jacey Poplawski, age 12, daughter of

8th grade―Tyrah Johnson, age 13, daughter of Tracy Johnson

The County coordinator and pronouncer for the event is Sandra Brock. The school coordinators are Ami Driver―Newport and Tanya Wood―Tuckerman/Swifton. Judges are Margarett Gatlin, Penny Churchman, and Ami Driver.