Fourth grader Max Reyes correctly spelled a series of tricky words to win the Bright School Spelling Bee. He will advance to the Zone Bee this winter.

Max correctly spelled the word "prestigious” to win the bee. Second place went to fifth grader Ellie Brown and third place went to fifth grader Emma Anderson.

The bee went for fourteen rounds with 51 fourth and fifth graders who bravely competed.

The words started out fairly easy with examples like fish and yawn, but the words became harder and more advanced quickly. The final rounds included words like equestrian, monsieur and deferential.

Mrs. Hyer said the word for each speller, and the judges were Mrs. Kendra Reasor, Ms. Emily Henn and Ms. Susan Pesterfield.