Students from 26 schools around Cascade County gathered in Great Falls Monday for the Cascade County Spelling Bee.
Sixty-four students from fourth to eighth grade participated for the chance to advance to the State Spelling Bee.
Jamie MacDonald, an eighth grader at Holy Spirit Catholic School, grabbed the first place spot after 20 rounds by correctly spelling paparazzo.
Sixth-grader David Wolfe of Lincoln Elementary took second place and sixth-grader Connor Sturges of Holy Spirit Catholic took third.
All three will go on to the State Spelling Bee in Billings.
After accepting his first place trophy, MacDonald said he is excited to compete at the state level, but the win didn’t quite feel real yet.
The State Spelling Bee will be held on Saturday, March 16 at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
-Reported by Joe Huisinga/MTN News
