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Jennifer Whitaker, a seventh-grader at Edgewood Middle School, is the Kosciusko County Spelling Bee champion for 2001.
Monday night Whitaker took the title in the 12th round of the finals at Warsaw Community Public Library. She will go on to compete March 17 at the Fort Wayne regional spelling bee.
Matthew Christy, a home-schooled fifth-grader, was the runner-up.
Both students correctly spelled such words as "insomnia," "astronomy" and "hoarseness." In the 11th round Christy misspelled "brawl," which Whitaker then correctly spelled. Whitaker went on to accurately spell "talons" to win the championship.
Whitaker and Christy won for their age groups in the semi-final spelling bees Saturday at the library.
They received plaques Monday and each contestant also will receive a $2,500 Richard R. Long Scholarship, funded by the International Palace of Sports. The scholarships will be held in trust for them until they graduate from high school.
Whitaker, 12, is the daughter of Cynthia and Michael Whitaker, Warsaw. Christy,10, is the son of Ron and Wendy Christy, Warsaw.
Judges Monday were city and county DARE officers, Warsaw Ptl. Joe Hawn and Deputy Tim Sammons. Silver Lake Elementary Principal Dave McComb coordinated this year's bee.
