West Branch Spellers

All the participants (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Bee coordinators Amy Criss, winner Sophia Bender, runner-up Noelani Morales and Victoria Daquelente (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Winner Sophia Bender (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Winner Sophia Bender and runner-up Noelani Morales (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Pronouncer Dr. Scott Weingart (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Fox Nichols (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Stella Whiteleather (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Kasen Coffee (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Kolby Stratton (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Kaiya Toothman (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Sutton Clay (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Jerin Libb (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Jamin Phelan (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Lilah Baird (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Ayrianna Phelan (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Joseph Nichols (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Scarlet Dawes (Photo by Gary Leininger)

Twenty-four spellers stepped up to compete in the fourth- and fifth-grade spelling bee. This year’s spelling bee took a little more than an hour to crown fourth graders Ella Means and Jordan Mathies as winner and runner-up, respectively. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

(Photo by Morgan Ahart)

Ella Means, right, correctly spells “etcetera” and “archipelago” in a row to win the spelling bee. Shown from left are runner-up Jordan Mathies and Means. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Ella Means, right, correctly spells “etcetera” and “archipelago” in a row to win the spelling bee. Shown from left are runner-up Jordan Mathies and Means. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The final two contestants spelled for nearly 20 minutes to decide the winner of this year’s spelling bee. Shown from left are winner Ella Means and runner-up Jordan Mathies. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Ella Means won this year’s spelling bee by successfully spelling both “etcetera” and “archipelago.” (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Jordan Mathies was the runner-up in this year’s spelling bee, trying unsuccessfully to spell “Frankenstein.” (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The pronouncer for this year’s spelling bee was Dr. Scott Weingart. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Whether a speller correctly spelled their word was indicated by lighting a green or red lightbulb. Shown is Amy Criss. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Victoria Daquelente explains the rules of the spelling bee and asks the audience to ensure their cell phones have been silenced. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)