‘Sufficient’ Enough for a win at ECC Spelling Bee
For Kurtis Scroggs, spelling “sufficient” was more than enough for the Pacific Intermediate School fifth grader to cling to his title as East Central College (ECC) Regional Spelling Bee champion.
Scroggs was the top speller of 25 area students who participated in the April 25 Bee. Earning second place was Lorelei Reed, a fifth grader at Central Elementary, Union; and Clearview Elementary sixth grader Bryson Sherer rounded out the top three.
Scroggs is no stranger to the winner’s circle of the ECC Spelling Bee, but this marks his first time winning outright. Last year, he tied in the 2025 Spelling Bee.
Held at the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center at ECC, the event was made possible by the ECC Foundation and sponsored by hth Companies, Inc., Union.
The remainder of the Top 9 are:
- Bryson Sherer, Clearview Elementary;
- Aaliyah Willyard, St. Clair Junior High;
- Roman Harvey, Washington West Elementary;
- Abby Kallmbah, St. Bridget of Kildare;
- Evie Thornton, Labadie Elementary;
- Zayir Afrad, South Point Elementary; and
- Eulalie Benito, Our Lady of Lourdes.
Bee Participants
Alex Null, Augusta Elementary; Ryan Bacott, Beaufort Elementary; Gabriel Muren, Crosspoint Christian School; Beatrice Derhake, Edgar Murray Elementary; Miles Johnston, Holy Rosary; Kathryn Dickinson, Immaculate Conception; Sydney Mesger, New Haven Elementary; Austin Schuck, New Haven Middle School; Arlo Stricker, Nike Elementary; Reid Spencer, Prairie Dell Elementary; Oliver Collins, St. Francis Borgia; Mary Pollock, St. Gertrude; Alexa Thurman, St. John the Baptist Gildehaus; Avery Eichmeyer, St. Vincent de Paul; and Travor Koss, Union Middle School.
Helping Hands
There was a lot that went on behind the scenes to make the annual Spelling Bee a success. That includes the donation of stage décor by Andy’s Produce.
Assisting on stage was Sue Henderson, director of assessment and accreditation at Maryville University, who served as the pronouncer for the event. Multimedia specialist Nicole Obermann, English instructor Daniel Jaycox and retention specialist Dora Bell, all with ECC, served as judges.
The ECC Regional Spelling Bee committee includes Jennifer Baker, Cynthia Cubas, Jennifer Hawkins, Patty Kellmann, Terri Ogle, Catherine Shick, Cassidy Desmond and Bridgette Kelch.
Past Champions of the Bee
2025 – Miles Johnston, Holy Rosary School; and Kurtis Scroggs, Zitzman Elementary School
2024 – Daisy Fearn, Pacific Intermediate School
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, contact the Foundation at Foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6506.
