SPELLING BEE LIVE: Update

The first round of the 77th Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee is over and 44 of the 63 participants are moving on to round two.

Nineteen of the spellers were unable to advance.

It may be damp and gloomy outside, but the atmosphere

in the Chestnut Room of Kilcawley Center on the Youngstown State University campus, home to the Bee again this year, remains full of excitement.

The winner of this competition advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Three school champions failed to appear for round one, and no alternates came to the Bee in their place.