By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA–Eleven students from various Shelby County Schools ranging from third to eight grade made their way to the Columbiana Central Office on Friday, Jan. 23 to participate in the countywide spelling bee.

The contestants were chosen for the countywide spelling bee after competing and winning spelling bee contests at their respective schools.

The contestants represented the following schools: Briarwood Christian Junior High School, Chelsea Middle School, Columbiana Middle School, Evangel Classical Christian School, Helena Middle School, Hilltop Montessori School, Montevallo Middle School, Oak Mountain Middle School, Our Lady of the Valley School, Thompson Middle School and Thompson Sixth Grade Center.

Of the 11 contestants there could only be one winner, and Thompson Middle School seventh-grader Abby Malkove took home the first place trophy after spelling the winning word “euphonium.”

“It definitely feels exciting and stressful and so many thoughts are going on in my mind I can’t even fathom what to think,” Malkove said with a sigh of relief. “I brought the list to every single class I had every day and I studied anytime that I had free time. I’d make sure I’d get my homework done really fast and then study. But right when it started I couldn’t look at that list anymore.”

Jenni Goolsby, middle school coordinator and spelling bee director is in her third year directing the spelling bee and is always amazed at the student’s skill levels.

“I think it’s good for kids in general because it’s a natural talent just like any other talent kids have,” said Goolsby. “I’m always amazed at how they even understand the origin of the word and how that has to do with the spelling at this age.”

Malkove will now move on to the state spelling bee in March at the Alabaster First United Methodist Church.