On Dec. 7, Clay County Schools held the annual Elementary Spelling Bee at Clay County High School.

Each of our four elementary schools sent five participants to compete for the title of Spelling Bee Champion. The participants were well prepared after months of practice and the Bee lasted 12 rounds.

At the conclusion of the 12th round, the winner was H.E. White Elementary fifth grader Caitlyn Boggs. Caitlyn won the Bee by successfully spelling the word therapist. The other students rounding out the top five were all from Clay Elementary. Fifth grader Luke Hill finished in second place. In third place was fifth grader Mason Wray. Fourth place went to fifth grader Owen Tinney. Fifth place went to third grader Matthew Neely.

The judges for the competition were Clay County Schools Afterschool Director Dr. Michelle Samples, retired Clay County Schools Superintendent Jerry Linkinoggor, and current CCHS English Teacher Lisa Arnold.

Thank you to the students, teachers and parents who all worked very hard to prepare for the Bee and thank you to the judges for your time. Congratulations again to the Elementary Spelling Bee winner, Caitlyn Boggs.