Hannah Stang Gerdes wins 75th Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee

Hannah Stang Gerdes wins 75th Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee

YOUNGSTOWN — For some, they say the third time’s the charm.

For Hannah Stang Gerdes, it’s the fourth time.

Hannah, 14, daughter of Bob and Tena Gerdes of Hubbard, is the Grand Champion of The Vindicator’s 75th annual Regional Spelling Bee, taking the crown at today’s event in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University.

It was her fourth appearance at the Bee. She was there in 2003, finished third two years ago and second last year, losing the 2007 event to John Umble.

The final 10 rounds of this year’s contest were almost a replay of last year, with Hannah and John going head to head as the last two spellers standing.

The only difference was the ending.

This time, it was John, a seventh-grader from Willow Creek Learning Center, who stumbled on a word and Hannah who moved on to victory. Julia Clair Miglets, a sixth-grader from Springfield Intermediate School, finished third.

It was an unanticipated pronunciation of the word “alcazar” that tripped him up, John said. Hannah spelled that word correctly and the word “durwan” for the victory.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.