Clara Reed sealed her victory Wednesday afternoon by correctly spelling “nomination”  — besting seventh-grader Brooke Mazzone, who misspelled “galleon” to finish second. 

Columbiana Middle School’s top four spellers, which include sixth-grader Aila Winner and fifth-grader Mason Erdel, advance to county, which will be held at Beaver Local Middle School,

Eighth-grader Easton Davis nabbed the alternate spot to round out the top five. 

This will be Reed’s first appearance at county, while Mazzone is returning, after having finished in third place at her district bee.

Competing for two final spots in the top five were fifth-grader Mason Erdel (8), eighth-grader Easton Davis (12) and seventh-grader Ruby Ellis (27). Erdel would snag the last spot advancing to the Columbiana County spelling bee in March and Davis would finish as the alternate. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Twenty-six students from all grades 5 through 8 competed in this year’s district spelling bee with the top four winning medals. 

From left, Columbiana Middle School fifth-grader Mason Erdel looks on as fellow fifth-grader Reese Bosela prepares to spell “plausible” during the fourth-round of the district’s spelling bee. Erdel finished fourth overall and will travel along with the other top three to Lisbon and represent the district at the Columbiana County spelling bee. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Columbiana Middle School spellers patiently wait for the start of the district’s spelling bee qualifier Wednesday afternoon. Pictured from left are fifth-grader Mason Erdel (8), seventh-grader Leighton Lalama (9), seventh-grader James Conrad (10), eighth-graders Addyson Price (11) and Easton Davis (12). Erdel bested Davis for fourth-place, sealing his advancement to the Columbiana. County Spelling Bee in March. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Eighth-grader Easton Davis reacts Wednesday afternoon after misspelling the word “alfalfa,” which cost him a berth in the Columbiana Exempted School District’s top four that advances to the county spelling bee in March. Davis finished the two-hour contest as an alternate and will advance if one of the other four qualifiers cannot make compete in Lisbon. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Columbiana Middle School’s 2026 top four spelling bee finishers will advance to the Columbiana County spelling bee on March 7 at Beaver Local Middle School. From left, winner Clara Reed, grade 8; first runner-up Brooke Mazzone, grade 7; second runner-up Aila Winner, grade 6; and third runner-up Mason Erdel, grade 5, pictured here with their medals and middle school principal Jason Martin. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)