Fifth grader captures New Kent schools’ spelling bee

By Alan Chamberlain | January 26, 2017 3:06 pm

New Kent Elementary fifth grader Will Ashley shrugs and smiles after correctly spelling "churlish" in the 11th round to win the New Kent school system's annual spelling bee held Thursday at New Kent Middle School. Will advances to the regional bee set for March 11 at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Middle school eighth grader Kiersten Fuller finished second. Below, grade group winners from all three county schools await start of the competition. From left are Charity Timberlake (Grade 6 NKMS), Landon Jones (Grade 3 NKES), Will, Raina Niles (Grade 5 Watkins), DeLayna Guthrie (Grade 3 Watkins), Kiersten, Avah Petry (Grade 4 NKES), Jason Best (Grade 7 NKMS), and Mya Quivers (Grade 4 Watkins).

Alan Chamberlain photos