Daisy Fearn solidified her status as the “Queen Bee” at this year’s East Central College Regional Spelling Bee, showcasing her exceptional spelling skills once more.

Daisy, a sixth grader at Pacific Intermediate School, sat atop the winner’s stand, alone, on Saturday, April 27, for the 2024 spelling competition. Last year, she was named co-champion alongside then St. Francis Borgia Middle School eighth grader, Scott Harriman.

Daisy’s performance earned her a first-place trophy, a $100 cash prize, and the esteemed title of sole Spelling Bee champion for the year.

Held at the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center at ECC, the event was made possible by the ECC Foundation, and it was graciously sponsored by hth Companies, Inc., Union.

Accompanying Daisy in the winner’s circle were Lydia Christiansen, an eighth grader from St. Francis Borgia Grade School, who secured the second-place trophy and a $50 cash prize, and Elijah Rock, an eighth grader from Union Middle School, who clinched third place along with a third-place trophy and $25.

Stage decorations for this year’s Spelling Bee were provided by Andy’s Produce.

Spelling Bee Participants

In total, 23 participants showcased their spelling expertise at this year’s Bee. Among them, the top 10 finalists were honored with medals, representing various elementary and middle schools in the region:

Isabella Eudy, Immaculate Conception School; Cecilia Reed, Central Elementary; Gunnar Swebilius, Meramec Valley School District; Avery Jones, Our Lady of Lourdes; Mason Raney, Labadie Elementary; Lillie Barker, New Haven Middle School; and Landon Reagan, Washington Middle School.

Other participants in the Bee included Brant Copeland, Blain Dooley, Beau Miller, Bentley Sullentrup, Avery Eichmeyer, Jackson Evans, Abby Kallmbah, Leo Koti, L.J. Lapiz, Aiden Lehr, Jervin Mark, Rai Leigh Roberts, and Kendall von Wolfseck.

Participants in the Spelling Bee are determined at area elementary and middle schools, which send their school spelling bee champion to compete in the ECC Bee. Schools hold independent bees throughout the winter to select the top speller to represent them in the region.

Bee competitors are students in grades four through eighth. They do not advance to competition following the ECC Spelling Bee, but the regional bee gives students a chance to compete after the school-level competitions.

Organizers & Bee Officials

Dr. Jon Bauer, East Central College President, once again served as the pronouncer of the Bee.

The Spelling Bee judges were Pam Kaiser, program coordinator for ECC’s Center for Workforce Development; Sue Henderson, director of assessment and accreditation at Maryville University and former associate professor of English at ECC; and Linda Barro, ECC associate professor of English.

The Spelling Bee 2024 Steering Committee members are Jennifer Baker, Jennifer Hawkins, Bridgette Kelch, Patty Kellmann, Cassidy Desmond, Terri Ogle, and Cynthia Cubas.

Past Champions of The Bee

2023 – Daisy Fearn, Pacific Intermediate School; and Scott Harriman, St. Francis Borgia Middle School
2019 – Matthew Blomberg, Our Lady of Lourdes
2018 – Gabbie Helm, Our Lady of Lourdes
2017 – Max Grimes, Washington Middle School
2016 – Kelci Moore, Riverbend School
2015 – Samantha Doepker, Clearview Elementary School
2014 – Emily Braun, Union Middle School
2013 – Emily Braun, Union Middle School
2012 – McKenzie White, Meramec Valley Middle School
2011 – Ashley Roberts, St. Francis Borgia Grade School.

Future ECC Regional Spelling Bees are scheduled for the last Saturday in April each year. For more information, please contact the Foundation at Foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6506.