Two Edgecomb Eddy School third graders battled through 18 rounds before Stella Chapman spelled two words to win the annual school spelling bee.

Chapman opened the 18th round spelling “union” correctly. Olive Tomko misspelled “console” which allowed Chapman an opportunity to spell “smuggler,” which she did successfully.

The bee had two representatives Jan. 31 from grades 1-6. In Round 1, eight spellers advanced. The first two eliminated were fourth grader Ethan Clark, who misspelled “ribbon,” and fifth grader Royce Rogers, who misspelled “burlap.”

In Round 2, four spellers were eliminated. First grader Isabel Fanslau misspelled “drum” and Fern Chapman missed “hall.” Second grader Corrinneanne Rogers mistook “petal” for “peddle” and was eliminated. Sixth grader Kiera Bridges misspelled “staggered.”

In Round 3, fifth grader Eva Whitmore was eliminated after misspelling “dispute.” Sixth grader Will Seiders was eliminated after misspelling “luggage.” In Round 4, all four remaining spellers advanced: Tomko, Stella Chapman, second grader Margaret McCarthy and fourth grader Morgan Phelps.

In Round 5, McCarthy missed “manger” and Phelps misspelled “fiercest.” McCarthy and Phelps tied for third in the spelling bee. In Round 6, Tomko and Chapman missed their first words. Tomko misspelled “discussion” and Chapman missed “reasonable.” 

In Round 9, Tomko had a chance to win, but misspelled “messenger.”

Two Edgecomb Eddy sixth graders will compete in the Lincoln County Spelling Bee on Feb. 12.