Kaden Haddox, a seventh-grader at Indian Creek Middle School, placed first in the Indian Creek Local School District Spelling Bee, held Jan. 13 at Indian Creek Middle School. Haddox correctly spelled “cadre,” a noun meaning a nucleus or core group, especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others, to claim the win. Taking part in the awards ceremony were, from left, front, Haddox; Ben Gorby, a fifth-grader at Indian Creek Middle Schools, second; and Shaylor McHugh, a sixth-grader at Indian Creek Middle School, third; and back, Todd Herman, district spelling bee coordinator; Savannah Brock, a seventh-grader at Jefferson County Christian School, alternate; Shlock Chavda, an eighth-grader at Indian Creek Middle School, fifth; Damien Wright, a fifth-grader at Indian Creek Middle school, fourth; and Superintendent T.C. Chappelear. The top five spellers and alternate will advance to the Jefferson-Harrison County Regional Spelling Bee, presented by the Herald-Star, at 11 a.m. March 14 at Buckeye North Elementary School in Brilliant.

— Ross Gallabrese