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Griffin "G.P." Pearce, a seventh-grader at Toronto Junior-Senior High School, placed first in the Toronto City School District Spelling Bee held Wednesday at Toronto High School. Pearce correctly spelled "seclusion," which means the state of being private or away from other people. Taking part in the awards ceremony were, from left, front, Pearce; Bentley Jackson, a seventh-grader who placed second; Blake Wilson, a seventh-grader who placed third; Braeden Record, a seventh-grader who placed fourth; Garen Mader, an eighth-grader at Toronto Junior-Senior High School who placed fifth; and Remey Hoffman, a fifth-grader at Toronto Elementary School who will serve as an alternate; and back: Annie Silverthorn, principal of Toronto Elementary School; Justin Wiley, the bee's coordinator; and Betsy Jones, principal of Toronto Junior-Senior High School. Hoffman was presented the Gary Wilson Award, which is given to the top-finishing fifth- grader in honor of a long-time Toronto City Schools principal and teacher. The top five spellers and alternate will advance to the Jefferson-Harrison Regional Spelling Bee, presented by the Herald-Star, at 11 a.m. March 9 at Buckeye North Elementary School in Brilliant.
— Warren Scott