Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Strong Elementary School sponsored the Franklin County Spelling Bee. Pictured are: Felecia Pease, school principal and Governor of the Bee; Hanna Deon, winner of the bee; Alessandro Pane, runnerup; and Bee Master, Monica Allen. STRONG — Are your spelling skills up to par with those of Franklin County’s best eighth grade spellers? Test your friends’ knowledge with some of the words from the Franklin County Spelling Bee held at the Strong Elementary School, Tuesday, Feb. 9. Try “latitudinarian,” “infatuation” or even “adjudicate” —the finalists’ three words.

Mt. Blue Middle School student Hanna Deon spelled the final word correctly to win the bee. MBMS schoolmate Alessandro Pane was the runner-up. Sixteen contestants from MSAD #58, RSU #9, Jay and Rangeley participated at length in front of a good size crowd.

Franklin County Bee Master Monica Allen offered the challenging words that evening. Long-term host Principal Felecia Pease was again the Governor of the Bee.

All county spelling bee champions will be heading to the Portland Press Herald Maine State Spelling Bee on March 20 at USM’s Abromson Community Education Center/Hannaford Hall in Portland.

“Tonight’s bee went a little longer than usual which is a sign of some really good spellers. Everything went smoothly and the contestants did a fantastic job,” Pease explained. “It’s impressive to see how gifted some of these contestants really are,” she said. “I was pleased to have most of our judges return and we are fortunate to have Monica come back for the second straight year.”

Pease pointed out that her Bee Master was actually a student of hers many years ago.

The 2010 Franklin County Bee Judges that evening were Lynn Ouellette, Brenda Stevens, Shirley Schrader and Nicole Goodspeed.

The contestants from RSU #9 were Alessandro Pane, Silas Rogers, Dakota Crockett and Hanna Deon.

From Jay they were Bryana Longley, Sydney Bishop, Tyler Ritter, and Emily Taylor.

From Rangeley they were Michaela Shorey, River Roy, Tyler Crosby and Ross Richards.

And from MSAD #58 they were: Austin Ladd, Phillips; Courtland Talmage, Kingfield; Duncan Grant, Stratton; and Patia Jellison, Strong.

Here are some samples from the Feb. 9 Franklin County Spelling Bee: