WILTON – Before a crowd of about 60 friends and family, students from all over Franklin County came together to compete for the title of county Spelling Bee champion Wednesday night.

Spellers from Jay, Rangeley, SAD 9 and SAD 58 packed the cafeteria of Academy Hill School in Wilton.

Seventh-grader Sam Cohen, 12, from Mount Blue Middle School outlasted 14 other competitors through nine rounds to earn first place in the bee. Rounding out the top three were second-place Bethany Durgin, 11 and third-place Spencer Bean, 11, who are both in seventh-grade at Rangeley Lakes Region school.

Cohen, who is also the school Geography Bee champion, will compete in Bangor in May for the state championship. The next step will be the national competition held in Washington, DC.

The faces of the remaining students became more flushed and nervous as each round went by. Sixth-grade teacher Sharon Graham played the role of bee master and challenged the kids with words like “unnecessarily” and “aspic.” Cohen’s correct spelling of “histrionics” is what sealed the victory and even left a few in the crowd checking their dictionaries.

Franklin County Spelling Bee overnor Arline Amos was pleased with the turnout for the event and stood ready and waiting to congratulate all the students who exited the stage.

“I think it’s important to show kids that spelling does have it’s rewards and I’m glad we can recognize these students for their academics,” said Amos.

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