The Atchison County Spelling Bee was held Thursday, February 8, 2018, in the Tarkio Elementary Library. Tarkio’s Grace Peck, right, was named the champion, followed by Bracton Cook, left, of Rock Port in 2nd place. They both advance to Regionals.

Tarkio Elementary 5th grader Abbie Harms is all smiles as her natural ease with being in front of an audience elicited chuckles after she quickly adjusted the microphone to stand at her height when all other spellers had not messed with the contraption.

Twelve students from Tarkio, Fairfax, and Rock Port competed in the Atchison County Spelling Bee Thursday, February 8, 2018, in the Tarkio Elementary Library. Spellers included, from left to right: front row – Sophia Martin, Dylan Kemerling, Bracton Cook, Brooklyn Wennihan, Hayden Riley, and Abbie Harms; and back row – Josh Smith, Grace Peck, Ryder Proctor, Micah Makings, Cowen O’Riley, and Trenton Kingery.

Nerves were running high as the twelve spellers from Tarkio, Fairfax, and Rock Port took their seats for the start of the Atchison County Spelling Bee Thursday, February 8, 2018, in the Tarkio Elementary Library. But after a quick practice round, the kids showed they were clearly there for a reason and spelled as many words as they could to stay in the round. After several rounds, Grace Peck of Tarkio stood as Atchison County Spelling Bee Champion and Bracton Cook of Rock Port was named runner-up. Both of them will advance to Regionals in St. Joseph.  Abbie Harms of Tarkio was named 1st alternate and Trenton Kingery of Fairfax was named 2nd alternate and they will compete in Regionals if Grace and Bracton are unable to attend.
Besides the winners and alternates, other competitors were: Fairfax – Cowen O’Riley, Hayden Riley, and Josh Smith; Tarkio – Brooklyn Wennihan, and Sophia Martin; and Rock Port – Ryder Proctor, Dylan Kemerling, and Micah Makings. Mark Staten was the reader and Dustin Barnes, Heidi Hale, Steve Waigand and Casey Martin assisted.