JAY – Words like “dirge” and “nominee” plagued them from the start, but it was “bamboozle” that set Kelsey Macomber apart from older contestants.

The sixth-grader won the annual Jay Middle School spelling bee Tuesday morning before a crowd of schoolmates, parents and staff.

Cameron Fry finished second, Cory Veilleux third and Sam Howes in fourth. All are eighth-graders.

Most participants fidgeted nervously with arms crossed as the first round claimed almost half the contestants. A second round left seven hopefuls; a third and fourth dwindled the number to four finalists.

Jay School Superintendent Robert Wall was the announcer for the bee and challenged the kids with many words that seemed to baffle even the audience.

Prizes for first place included a deluxe edition of Scrabble and a gift certificate to Mr. Paperback. Macomber and the three runners-up will attend the Franklin County spelling bee at Mount Blue school in Farmington.