Bryce Durgin, an eighth-grader at Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw, is the 2003 Kosciusko County Spelling Bee champion.

Holly Kolberg, a fifth-grader from Syracuse Elementary, is the runner-up.

In Thursday's final competition at Lakeview Middle School, Kolberg misspelled "peaceable," the first word she was given. Durgin spelled it correctly and then spelled "lexicology" to take the championship.

Durgin, the son of Robert and Susan Durgin, was the countywide runner-up in 2000 when he was in fifth grade.

Kolberg, the daughter of Cindy and David Kolberg, was in her first year of competition.

The International Palace of Sports furnishes Richard R. Long Scholarships to the winners, and Durgin will receive $2,500 for being the middle school champion and an additional $2,500 for being the countywide winner.

Kolberg will receive a $2,500 Richard R. Long Scholarship for being the elementary winner and an additional $1,000 for being the countywide runner-up.

Durgin will advance to regional competition this spring in Fort Wayne.

Judges Thursday were Laura Bloomingdale and Meredith Showers, Grace College students, and Willa Henry, retired Warsaw teacher. Pronouncer for all three nights was Dr. Paulette Sanders, Grace College professor. The words given to the spelling bee contestants were taken from a list provided by the National Spelling Bee organization.

The bee was organized this year by Charles Sauders, principal of Silver Lake Elementary. [[In-content Ad]]