Last Updated on October 25, 2025 5:04 pm
After a fierce 13 rounds of spelling various words, Blowing Rock School Seventh Grader Audrey Bovenzi correctly spelled the word “reprehensible” to secure victory in the Watauga County Schools district-wide spelling bee held on Oct. 24 at the Margaret Gragg Education Center in Boone.
This year’s contestants were: Logan Webb (Bethel), Audrey Bovenzi (Blowing Rock), Lauren McCoy (Cove Creek), Isabelle Spainhour (Green Valley), Shiloh Solomon Asen (Hardin Park), Grace Ward (Mabel), Penelope Marchant (Parkway) and Audrey Shields (Valle Crucis).
A single speller from each school secured a spot in the district-wide spelling bee final by winning a competition among fourth through eighth-grade students at their school.
“The Watauga County Schools Spelling Bee is a valued tradition that highlights the hard work and dedication of our students,” said Dr. Katie Barbee, K-8 Curriculum Director. “It’s rewarding to see students embrace the challenge of academic competition while also having fun and continuing to grow as learners. As a district, we’re proud to support our students and provide enrichment opportunities that help them become confident, well-rounded learners who thrive beyond the classroom.”
Barbee along with Kim Hall of the Central Office team coordinated the logistics and planning for the WCS Spelling Bee, and school-level coordinators oversaw the spelling bee competitions at each school.
School coordinators were Anne Sukow (Bethel School), Melody Cook-Bridges (Blowing Rock School), Laurie Warren (Cove Creek School), Shane Terzaken (Green Valley School), Emily Rothrock (Hardin Park School), Sunnee Freed (Mabel School), Owen Gray (Parkway School) and Erin Thompson (Valle Crucis School).
WCS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander welcomed all in attendance and eased everyone’s nerves with her Spelling Bee “dad jokes”.
“What does the letter ‘T’ and an island have in common” Alexander asked. All in the room were eager to know the answer to this perplexing question. The answer was “They’re both in the middle of ‘water’”, which resulted in laughter once everyone realized the answer initially went over their heads.
The 2025 district spelling bee was sponsored by Carolina West Wireless and SkyLine/SkyBest. Business Sales Executives Zara Blevins and Haleigh Seamon were present to represent SkyLine/SkyBest and Business Account Executive Jamie Stone was present to represent CWW.
Several local businesses and attractions donated prizes for each contestant and the bee champion including: Grandfather Mountain, Hickory Crawdads, Mellow Mushroom, OP Smiles, Publix, sweetFrog, Stick Boy Bread Co. and Tweetsie Railroad.
Chief Academic Officer Mr. Phil Norman gave introductions of the spellers, their school principal and their school spelling bee coordinator. He also went over the rules for all in attendance. Dr. Wayne Eberle, WCS Director of Accountability and Federal Programs, served as the Pronouncer, while Director of Elementary Education Dr. Brian Bettis, WHS/WIA Assistant Principal Ashley Winkler and Early Literacy Specialist Misty Hyler served as the panel of judges.
With her victory at the county level, Bovenzi will be eligible to represent the district in the Carolina Panthers Bee in Charlotte in March 2026.
