Competition was stiff Tuesday night but Blaine Myers didn’t letthat slow her down in her quest to become the Lincoln CountySpelling Bee champion.

Blaine, the 12-year-old daughter of Mickey and Karen Myers,confidently breezed through nine rounds, spelling words withvarying degrees of difficulty before defeating six othercontestants that showcased the best of the best spellers.

Now the Bogue Chitto Attendance Center sixth grader thinks sheis almost ready to tackle the state’s best spellers.

“I’m nervous about it. I’m going to have to study,” she saidafter winning the bee sponsored by The DAILY LEADER.

She never showed a tinge of nervousness when spelling her finalwords “assignment,” “colony” and “angels” in capturing the LincolnCounty title.

Blaine, who has always been an avid reader, credits her skill ofspelling to the help of her father.

“I get my dad to call them (spelling words) out to me,” shesaid.

She won a hard-fought battle against students Kimberly Sereduckfrom Alexander Junior High School, Destiny Jackson from BrookhavenElementary, Alicia Waldrop from Enterprise, Lakenya Kelly of LipseyMiddle School, Octavius Tillman from Loyd Star and Casey Loftonfrom West Lincoln.

During the first two rounds, three students were eliminatedwhile the others continued until round four when Lofton misspelleda tricky word. Sereduck was eliminated in the next round.

Kelly and Myers went head-to-head for the subsequent fourrounds, never missing a beat as event pronouncer Chuck Ivey askedthe students to spell word after word.

Getting stumped “profane,” Kelly was eliminated in the ninthround.

Blaine will now continue on to the state tournament in Jacksonsoon.

Each student was presented a certificate provided by The DAILYLEADER for winning their school’s event and participating in thedistrict event. The top three finishers were awarded plaques aswell.

Spelling judges were Keri Leggett, Nanette Laster and JohnLowman, all of The DAILY LEADER. Official judges were Lipsey MiddleSchool teachers Gwen Case and Dana Rushing. Lipsey Middle SchoolPrincipal Rita Rich was hostess for the competition.