Two Crowned Champions in ECC Spelling Bee
It was a battle of brains and letters at East Central College’s annual Spelling Bee — and this year, two top spellers stood tall.
Miles Johnston, a sixth grader at Holy Rosary School, and Kurtis Scroggs, a fourth grader at Zitzman Elementary School, were named Co-Champions of the 2025 ECC Regional Spelling Bee, held Saturday, April 26, in the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center.
Nicholas Garber, an eighth grader at St. Gertrude School, was awarded 2nd Runner-Up after a strong showing throughout the competition.
Top 10 Finalists:
1. Miles Johnston – Holy Rosary School
1. Kurtis Scroggs – Zitzman Elementary School
3. Nicholas Garber – St. Gertrude School
Listed in no order are the remaining Top 10.
- Avi Dionne – Marthasville Elementary School
- Eleanor Riegel – Clearview Elementary School
- Raidn Hewitt – Coleman Elementary School
- Natalie Brown – Immaculate Conception School
- Gunnar Swebilius – Pacific Intermediate School
- Braelyn Frankenberg – St. Francis Borgia Grade School
- Emily Derner – St. John the Baptist School
A Team Effort
The ECC Regional Spelling Bee was proudly sponsored by hth companies, with key support from the following event officials:
Pronouncer: Dr. Jon Bauer, President, East Central College
Judge: Linda Barro, Associate Professor of English, ECC
Judge: Sue Henderson, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Maryville University
Judge: Nicole Oermann, Multimedia Specialist, ECC
A special thank-you goes to the Spelling Bee Committee for their work behind the scenes:
Jennifer Baker, Jennifer Hawkins, Patty Kellmann, Terri Ogle, Cynthia Cubas, Cassidy Desmond, and Bridgette Kelch.
Past ECC Bee Champions
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
Save the Date
The ECC Regional Spelling Bee is held annually on the last Saturday in April. For more information, contact the ECC Foundation at foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6506.
Special Thanks
Natalie Brown, a 12-year-old seventh grader from Immaculate Conception School, also contributed to the event’s stage décor, which was sponsored by Andy’s Produce. She is the daughter of Michael and Lisa Brown.
Nicholas Garber, an eighth grader at St. Gertrude School, was awarded 2nd Runner-Up after a strong showing throughout the competition.
Top 10 Finalists:
1. Miles Johnston – Holy Rosary School
1. Kurtis Scroggs – Zitzman Elementary School
3. Nicholas Garber – St. Gertrude School
4. Avi Dionne – Marthasville Elementary School
5. Eleanor Riegel – Clearview Elementary School
6. Raidn Hewitt – Coleman Elementary School
7. Natalie Brown – Immaculate Conception School
8. Gunnar Swebilius – Pacific Intermediate School
9. Braelyn Frankenberg – St. Francis Borgia Grade School
10. Emily Derner – St. John the Baptist School
A Team Effort
The ECC Regional Spelling Bee was proudly sponsored by hth companies, with key support from the following event officials:
Pronouncer: Dr. Jon Bauer, President, East Central College
Judge: Linda Barro, Associate Professor of English, ECC
Judge: Sue Henderson, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Maryville University
Judge: Nicole Oermann, Multimedia Specialist, ECC
A special thank-you goes to the Spelling Bee Committee for their work behind the scenes:
Jennifer Baker, Jennifer Hawkins, Patty Kellmann, Terri Ogle, Cynthia Cubas, Cassidy Desmond, and Bridgette Kelch.
Past ECC Bee Champions
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
Save the Date
The ECC Regional Spelling Bee is held annually on the last Saturday in April. For more information, contact the ECC Foundation at foundation@eastcentral.edu or call 636-584-6506.
Special Thanks
Natalie Brown, a 12-year-old seventh grader from Immaculate Conception School, also contributed to the event’s stage décor, which was sponsored by Andy’s Produce. She is the daughter of Michael and Lisa Brown.