Green or red signs with correct or incorrect flew up as contestants spelled their way through the Lake County Spelling Bee, last Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Charlo High School Gym.  

Eighteen contestants from across the valley were narrowed to three as the ring of a bell disqualified spellers from the next round.  

The field eventually narrowed down to fifth-grader Heidi Huber, seventh-grader Aubree Blevins, and eighth-grader Addison Hogue. This was the 61st county spelling bee, with only brief interruptions during the COVID pandemic and World War II.  

Huber, a homeschooler from Bigfork, took home first with the winning word “auxiliary” and championship word “husk.” Blevins from Charlo placed second with the word “scooter,” and Hogue from Charlo took third with the word “cheddar.”  

Students from fourth through eighth grade compete in local spelling bees before qualifying for the county bee. The size of the school determines how many students can attend the county bee, according to Lake County Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Hall, who organized the bee.  

A qualified winner from the Lake County bee will head to the state bee hosted at Montana State University in Bozeman. Hall noted that some counties can send more than one student, but this depends on the county's size. 

Students must also be enrolled in Scripps National Spelling to qualify for the state and national bee in Washington, D.C.  

Hall explained that they used to have closer to 50 students participating each year when larger schools attended the bee. However, fewer students attend due to more activities for students to do and conflicts with other events, Hall said.  

Huber also took first in last year’s bee but was unable to attend the state bee due to the required Scripps enrollment, which must be completed before qualifying. Scripps requires homeschoolers to enroll as a co-op or individual family. Huber's mother, Kelsey, said they enrolled in a family, which cost $135 this year. 

Huber said she was not expecting to take first after losing a word, but all three lost the round and had to complete a spell off to determine their final placements.  

“I’m surprised that she won again, but very proud and excited to see her still loving words and spelling well,” Kelsey said. 

Huber practiced for the bee by studying the champion's booklet. She is also an avid reader, whose recently been enjoying Nancy Drew Mystery Stories and books by Jane Austen. Huber said she’s a bit nervous but also excited to compete at the state bee. 

   Fifth-grade homeschooler from Bigfork, Heidi Huber, takes first again this year at the Lake County Spelling Bee in the Charlo High School Gym, on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Huber will be headed to the state bee at Montana State University in March. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Leigh Johnson, spelling bee judge and Lake County Public Health Nurse, throws up the correct sign letting contestants know they are moving on to the next round during the Lake County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Feb. 18. (Emily Messer/Leader)