Kids give valiant effort at Porter County Spelling Bee

Evan Szabo and Nick Koprcina are the final two spellers in the fourth-grade level at the Porter County Spelling Bee held Thursday at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso. Nick won the bee with Evan finishing as runner-up.

Kids give valiant effort at Porter County Spelling Bee

Fourth-graders await their turns at the Porter County Spelling Bee held at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso Thursday.

Kids give valiant effort at Porter County Spelling Bee

Fourth-grader Nick Koprcina seems to look for divine help at the Porter County Spelling Bee held Thursday at Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso.

Valparaiso University 2013 Spring Production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" By Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn as directed by Dr. Lee F. Orchard as previewed in a clip for the Valparaiso University Spring 2013 Theatre Production.

Spelling bee final is Saturday

The winner of a Saturday spelling bee, sponsored by Kankakee Valley REMC, will walk away with a trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The final competition will take place at 10 a.m. at Wheeler High School auditorium, 599 W. 300 North, Valparaiso.

St. John Lutheran students take 2nd place in spelling bee

LANSING | St. John Lutheran School's first- through eighth-graders competed in the recent South Suburban Lutheran Spelling Bee and as a school St. John’s came home with second place.

St. John Lutheran students take 2nd place in spelling bee

St. John Lutheran School in Lansing placed second at a recent south suburban spelling bee. Some of the students participating included, from left, Miracle Crawford, Daniel Aina, Ermeh Ogom, Maxine Burns and Caroline Shelton.

Practice pays off for regional spelling bee winners

VALPARAISO │ During a close basketball game, seventh-grader Dheven Unni admits to a bout of nervousness and “clammy hands” – similar to how he felt Saturday at Wheeler High School.

Students compete in spelling bee

Chesterton Middle School student Wyatt Lee speaks into the microphone Saturday during the Lake/Porter County District Spelling Bee at Wheeler High School. Wyatt was a finalist and will move on to the state final spelling bee March 9.

Students compete in spelling bee

Forest Ridge Academy student Dheven Unni participates in the first round of the Lake/Porter County District Spelling Bee on Saturday at Wheeler High School. Dheven took second place and will advance to the state final spelling bee March 9.

Students compete in spelling bee

Benjamin Franklin Academy School student Janiya Bates reacts to a word on Saturday during the Lake/Porter County District Spelling Bee at Wheeler High School. Janiya was a finalist and will move on to the state final spelling bee March 9.

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Rickover Jr. High students Taylor McKenzie, right, and Samuel Raheem compete in a spelling bee Tuesday at the school in Sauk Village.

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Rickover Jr. High students, from left, Victor Segoviano, Taylor McKenzie and Samuel Raheem compete in a spelling bee Tuesday at the school in Sauk Village.

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Rickover Jr. High seventh grader Taylor McKenzie, center, is congratulated by contest pronouncer Karen Jones, left, and judge Sheri Foreman after winning a spelling bee Tuesday at the school in Sauk Village.