Fifth grader Mac Northcraft won the Ray-Pec School District Spelling Bee on Jan. 13. Brooklyn Meloy, a seventh grader at Ray-Pec East Middle School, was the runner-up.

After eight rounds of spelling, Mac, a 5th grader at Creekmoor Elementary School, spelled the word "dramatization" to win the event. As the winner, Mac advances to the Cass County Spelling Bee, where he will represent Ray-Pec and compete for the opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Twenty-seven students in grades 4-8 participated in the Bee, which was conducted virtually for the first time at Ray-Pec. Library media specialists at all seven elementary schools and both middle schools facilitated the competition through a Google Meet organized by Karmin Ricker, Instructional Design and Technology Coordinator.

Retired Library Media Specialist Joyce Webb was the pronouncer. Taking turns, each speller advanced to the camera at his or her school, unmasked, and proceeded to spell the given word.

Ricker and Webb, along with Technology Director Ryan Gooding, and Administrative Assistant Debbie Johnson, were located at the Ray-Pec Academy building for the event. 

Also present at the Academy and visible to the spellers were the three judges: Dr. Al Voelker, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services; Dr. Lisa Hatfield, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; and Michele Stidham, Communication Director. 

The spelling bee was conducted this morning. This afternoon, the trophies were presented in person to Mac and Brooklyn. All District spelling bee participants received a medallion as recognition for being a top speller at their schools.