Kate Kelsey, a 7th grade student at Richmond Hill Middle School, won the Bryan County Schools District-Level Spelling Bee on Monday, hosted at the Bryan County Schools Board of Education building. She won by correctly spelling the word “inadequate”.

Students from four elementary schools and two middle schools in Bryan County hosted school-level Spelling Bees to determine the candidate to advance to the district level competition. A total of 13 rounds were completed prior to the two finalist rounds. Kelsey out spelled Daniella Ortiz, a 5th grade student from Frances Meeks Elementary, on the 15th and final round.

“Kate is an exceptional student”, said Ms. Stahl, Kate’s ELA teacher. “Specifically, she is an outstanding writer whose witty style always shines throughout her work. She possesses a unique perspective that she regularly shares, and I consider her a leader in our classroom. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments,” Stahl said.

Kelsey will be moving on to compete in the GAE Region Spelling Bee along with other spellers in District 8 on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus. The winner of the GAE Region 8 Spelling Bee will advance to the GAE State Spelling Bee on March 15, 2024 at Georgia State University in Atlanta.