Struthers competitor gets lots of support

Struthers competitor gets lots of support

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Family and other supporters of Cole McKenna, a Struthers Elementary School fourth-grader competing in the 81st Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee, all donned matching blue T-shirts for the event with “Cole’s Washington, D.C. companion” printed on the back. Cole finished fourth in the event.

Event saw many returning spellers

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The 81st Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee included 51 competitors: 28 boys and 24 girls. Of the contestants, 44 were competing for the first time, six returned for a second bee and two, Morgan Smith, a seventh-grader from Youngstown’s Discovery at Kirkmere, and Bronx Teague, a fourth-grader at Youngstown Community School, came back for the third time. Morgan was this year’s runner-up.

Last year’s winners help out this year

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Max Lee, the grand champion of the 2013 and the 2012 Vindicator Regional Spelling Bee, returned as a volunteer this year. Tamsin Day, who was runner-up both last year and in 2012, also came back this year to help with the bee. Because they are now high school students, their age prohibits them from competing.

Longtime pronouncer keeps talking

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Fred Owens, professor in Youngstown State University’s communication and theater department, was the pronouncer at this year’s bee, a role he’s filled for many years. Judges were the Rev. Lewis Macklin of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Youngstown; Leslie Kiske, a retired Boardman schools teacher who teaches at The English Center; and John Rozzo, retired principal of St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary School.