On Wednesday, January 31, Richmond County Schools’ top 11 spellers met at the Cole Auditorium in Hamlet, NC to compete for the chance to be a champion. After five rounds, it was Ellerbe Middle School’s Hailey Maness who ultimately spelled the championship word, talc. 

Others to compete were: Amisadai Carillo Garcia; Logan Emery; Amelia Young; Symone Terry; Tarsha Lindsey; Runner-up, Terry Covington; Gracie Scott; Amirah Shelton; Amheshia Crawford, and Xiomara Campos.

Hailey will now head to Charlotte, NC in February to compete in The Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee at ImaginOn’s Wachovia Playhouse. 

We wish her the best of luck as she prepares!