CULLMAN — On Monday night, Fairview Elementary School fifth grader Kane Smith found himself in a tough spot, standing front and center on the Fairview High School auditorium.
It was the final round of the Cullman County Spelling Bee, and Smith had to spell the word “aria” for the win.
The problem? He wasn’t sure how.
“I couldn’t remember it, so I kind of just guessed,” Smith said after the Bee with a laugh. “I’ve been studying hard for a couple of months.”
Lucky for Smith, all of his studying paid off and he guessed right — winning the 2010 county-wide competition.
“I think this will make (my school) proud,” Smith said.
Smith beat out 25 other students from various Cullman County schools, Cullman City Schools and local private schools.
Kane’s father Gary Smith said his son’s victory came as no surprise to him.
“I knew he would win,” he said. “He’s been studying every night and working really hard.”
Amy Smith, Kane’s mother, said she is extremely proud of her son.
“We’re just really excited,” she said.
Kane will now represent Cullman County in the statewide spelling bee on March 6 in Oak Mountain.
Ryan Wallace, a West Point Middle School eighth grader, was the runner-up in the competition. He spelled “Panzer” to clinch his place in a spell-off for second place.
“I’ve participated for a few years now,” Wallace said. “I studied a lot to prepare myself.”
Kane and Wallace faced some stiff competition in the Bee, as just eight students were eliminated in the first round. But, only eight contestants remained after round two.
By the fourth round, only Kane, Wallace, Cold Springs Elementary student Kolton Nichols and Good Hope Elementary student Elita Simmons remained.
Cullman County Board of Education Superintendent Hank Allen said he was proud of everyone involved with the Bee.
“It was a job well done by the students, parents and staff,” he said.
Denise Schuman, CCBOE elementary curriculum coordinator, said it was one of the best Bees ever.
“This was a very professional spelling bee,” she said. “This year was just perfect.”
The 2009 contest was judged by Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President Kirk Mancer, Cullman City Schools Media Specialist Janice Cook and Cullman County Board of Education Federal Programs Director Don McPherson.
Treat Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
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