The Chouteau County Spelling Bee took place in the auditorium of the Fort Benton Elementary School on February 27, 2018.

The Big Sandy Grade School spelling champs were both excited and nervous. The 3rd and 4the graders of the county will spell against each other and are not eligible for the State Spelling Bee.

The Winner of the 5th-8th grades will go on to the State Spelling Bee. Big Sandy is represented by a number of children, all excited to be in a spelling contest. Representing the 3rd grade: Keira Oats, granddaughter of Steve and Mona Galbavy, Josh Hagen, son of Jeff and Rose, David Morsette, son of Ken and Karen, Quinn Rodewald, son of Kyle and Traci, Elaina Weaver, daughter of Brad and Samantha.

The 4th grade is represented by Mica Griffith, son of Mica and Leah, Heather Sherburn, Daughter of Jer and Brittany, Dolan Sunchild, son of Dorrell and Jolin, Tori Dixon, son of Clay and Kelly. Those eligible for state competition in the 5th grade is Hunter Moore, Son of Brad and Sheri, Carmen Tan, son of Stacy Tan, and Ryder Oats grandson of Tiffany Golbary. Sixth grade competitors Teagen Cochran, daughter of Ronnie and Morgan Simpson, Wylee Snapp, son of Amy Terry and Bryan Snapp.

Most of the grade school winners have participated in the spelling bee in previous years. Asking why they liked the Spelling Bee they didn't hesitate to reply. They had their answers down. He likes spelling "because it's challenging". She said, "You learn more". And although he didn't know it he was learning the value of setting goals and the enormous power of accomplishment, he said, "Because it takes a lot of effort, lots of practice, but it's rewarding when you get them right!" They knew they would have to go up on a stage and spell the words into a mic with everyone in the crowd looking at them. Many had already experienced what it was like to misspell a word, they knew how to spell, because they were so nervous, "scared". "It's really scary." However, they also knew what they would have to do to overcome their fears. They said, "don't really look at them." "Don't pay attention to how many people are looking at you." One said he'll look at his parents who will be sitting in

the front row. Another said his parents sit in the 5th row. But even with their nervousness most of them think they can win this time, because they are still practicing their spelling word. Most, not all. There were two who said no rather loudly. They weren't still studying. The most difficult words for them to spell; violin, alfalfa, Enderman (a video game character-I had to ask. I didn't know that word). One kid said the most difficult word was rcalifragilisticexpialidocious" and then he laughed. He didn't really know how to spell it. It is in the dictionary however it means extraordinarily good and wonderful.

To a reporter that struggles with spelling and needs a spell check to help write an article, these children are ercalifragilisticexpialidocious.