Kiana Lacroix, winner of the 11th annual North Idaho Spelling Bee, came home from her experience at the national bee last May absolutely exuberant.

And why not? She'd won; not just the bee, but that chapter in her game of life.

In visiting with sponsors at the Coeur d'Alene Press, Kiana excitedly chatted about the fabulous bee competition and competitors, and maybe even more, the experience of soaking in so much culture and history in Washington, D.C.

So who's next?

Tomorrow, the 12th rendition of the North Idaho Spelling Bee will whittle down a field of more than four dozen of the region's most spectacular spellers and ultimately produce one who will represent them all.

The Press pays all the costs involved with sending the winning speller and her or his guardian to the nation's capital for the better part of a week. But we could never do this without North Idaho College, President Joe Dunlap, and the amazin' Mindy Patterson, who coordinates bees throughout North Idaho and stages an always special event on the NIC campus.

Like the rest of us, Mindy is eager to find out who will step forward. As we anticipate the great day tomorrow, here's a glance back.

Go, you spellers, and best of luck to every one of you.

Hall of Champions

2004: Max Keister, Sixth Grade, Home School District, of Post Falls.

2005: Matt Harlow, Eighth Grade, Canfield Middle School, Coeur d'Alene School District.

2006: Rachel Pinkerton, Sixth Grade, Home School District, of Coeur d'Alene.

2007: Gabriel Cheeley, Seventh Grade, Home School District, of Post Falls.

2008: Rachel Pinkerton, Eighth Grade, Home School District, of Coeur d'Alene.

2009: Sabrina Smith, Seventh Grade, Christian Center School, Private School District.

2010: Sabrina Smith, Eighth Grade, Christian Center School, Private School District.

2011: Rebekah Pinkerton, Fifth Grade, Home School District, of Coeur d'Alene.

2012: Sarah-Jessica Sedy, Eighth Grade, Woodland Middle School, Coeur d'Alene School District.

2013: Tricia McCullough, Eighth Grade, Canfield Middle School, Coeur d'Alene School District.

2014: Kiana Lacroix, Seventh Grade, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy.

2015: ?