By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Thirty-four students from Crawford, Morrow, and Richland counties competed against each other in the annual Tri-County Spelling Bee Thursday night at the Mid-Ohio Education Service Center in Mansfield.
Being on the brink of elimination for misspelling the word solder, Lexington sixth grade student Maggie Sheridan came back after opponent Izach Littlefield misspelled allegory. Sheridan then had to spell the words apparition and portcullis to pick up the crown as tri-county spelling champ.
Sheridan explained her practice routine that she went through to claim the crown of Tri-County Spelling Bee champion.
“I practiced a bit with my sister Katie at home, and a great deal of my spelling practice time was spent at lunch with my advisor Mrs. Berry and we went over all kinds of words, and I am just glad that I have the experience to have a lot of words to learn,” Sheridan said.
Sheridan explained what was going through her mind when the final word of portcullis was given to her.
“I was just like I know how to spell this. I am going to win,” Sheridan said.
Sheridan’s coach Jennifer Berry explained what went into coaching the spelling bee champion
“We started practicing in late October early November about one to two practices a week,” Berry said. “She would either stay after school for an hour and we would practice with her sister and our other two spellers that made our bee.”
Sheridan’s sister Katie Sheridan finished third in the event.
Parents Debbie and Mark Sheridan were proud of their daughters’ accomplishments.
“They are amazing just amazing. They have done very well and worked very hard,” Debbie said. “They were early readers, reading before kindergarten. They are always quizzing each other it’s amazing.”
St. Bernard’s seventh grader Max Phillips reached the final four, but was outlasted by the Sheridan sisters and Littlefield. Phillips said he felt good about his placing.
“I feel like I did pretty good,” Phillips said. “I didn’t really have an expectation, I just do and it usually turns out really well if things go right.”
Seven of the 34 students on hand have qualified for the Scripps Spelling Bee regional completion which will be held in Athens on March 19. Last year Sheridan finished in a tie for second place.