Spelling, pronunciation and definitions were on the minds of the 16 students competing in last week’s second annual Margaret Elementary School (MES) spelling bee.

Making sure spellers followed the specified bee guidelines, Jim Link from the Argo Community Food Bank, Associate Pastor Russ Donaho of North Valley Church and Dennis Washington with Fox 6 News served as judges.

As spellers from second to fifth grade took their seats, fourth grade language arts/writing teacher Katie Amberson welcomed parents, grandparents and other bee supporters.

Easing the nerves of the MES spellers, they participated in a practice round before kicking off the official spelling bee.

Proving they studied hard to win their classroom bees in order to move onto the school wide spelling bee, the second MES spelling bee went 15 rounds before a winner was determined.

The winner was third grader Lacey Pierson with fifth grader Kate Cole as the runner-up.

Awarding all spellers with a certificate of participation, Pierson received a trophy, computerized spelling devise and a savings bond, while Cole also received a trophy.

Pierson and Cole are both big readers, which their parents credit as one of the reasons they are good spellers. Hugging and congratulating their daughters on their wins, Lacey’s mom Trish Pierson said, “I am very proud and excited.”

Cole’s parents Tracey and Robert said, “We are elated, proud and ecstatic. We knew she could do it.”

Thrilled about their wins, Pierson admitted being nervous at first. “After I started spelling a few words on stage—I felt like I got this. It was awesome.” Cole added, “I feel great.”

Last year Pierson said she was out in the first round for misspelling funnel (She spelled it funnal). This year’s triumph shows what a difference a year can make.

Delivering on its mission to “help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives,” Amberson, also the spelling bee coordinator, said, “They did a great job.”