The bee was won by 8th grader Alex St. John, who correctly spelled the word seminary after initially spelling a final word incorrectly. If a finalist spells a word incorrectly, the other finalist must spell their next word correctly. If they fail to spell that word correctly, another final round begins.  

 

Alex and runner-up Rhett Walker went several rounds back and forth until Rhett spelled a word incorrectly, and Alex was able to spell his next 2 words correctly. Spelling bee host and Middle School teacher Carter Vivio was on hand throughout the bee to explain the rules to students.

 

 Alex will move on to the Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee in March, where he will compete against other local middle school students for a spot in the National Spelling Bee. The 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place the week of Memorial Day 2023 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Congratulations to Alex and our other middle schoolers who competed! #GoAdmirals