PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Pike County Board of Education hosts two spelling bees a year.

Tuesday was the annual Pike County High School Spelling Bee. Students from each high school in the county, including Pikeville High School, participated.

Twenty-one students were competing for the top prize. One winner is crowned for each grade level.

The winners of each grade then compete for first-, second- and third-place in the overall category.

“Spelling plays an important part in many subjects,” says organizer Cassie Goff. “It’s definitely needed for reading and English. It’s very important in everything we do. Aspects of daily life even.”

WINNERS:

9th grade – Ryan Varney (Belfry High School)

10th grade – Lakin Puckett (East Ridge High School)

11th grade – Nancy Brown (East Ridge High School)

12th grade – Austin Dillon (Belfry High School)

2nd overall runner-up – Lakin Puckett (East Ridge High School)

1st overall runner-up – Nancy Brown (East Ridge High School)

Grand champion – Austin Dillon (Belfry High School)

Coach of the Year – Amy Moore (East Ridge High School)

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