Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Joshua Lawrence, a homeschooled seventh-grader, is the Kosciusko County Spelling Bee champion for 2002.
Lawrence, 12, took the title in the sixth round Thursday at Lakeview Middle School auditorium over Stephanie Henning, a homeschooled sixth-grader.
In the first four rounds, the contestants, who both looked relaxed and confident, correctly spelled such words as "elocution," "inconvenient," "unutterable" and "optimistic."
However, in the fifth round Henning stumbled on "acceded," and Lawrence was given the chance to spell it correctly, which he did. He then spelled "mayhem" to take the title.
Both Lawrence and Henning will receive $2,500 scholarships from the Homer Schoop Foundation, and Lawrence will go on to compete March 16 in the area spelling bee in Fort Wayne.
Lawrence is the son of Carol Lawrence, Warsaw; Henning, 11, is the daughter of Jenny L. and Paul E. Henning.
Judges for Thursday's bee were Caroline Nye, Michelle Ball and Tina Wuthrich; pronouncer was Dr. Paulette Sauders. This year's bee was coordinated by Shannun Reed.
