Matthew Jones, sixth-grader and son of Larry and Fran Jones, won the spelling bee held for Rowan County’s home-educated children Feb. 10. This is the second year in a row that Jones has won the local title. He will compete next at the district level in Lewisville.
Fourteen students participated in the sixth annual spelling bee. Will Thrailkill took second place, and William Jones took third. Will, an eighth-grader, is the son of Bill and Angela Thrailkill of Mt. Ulla, and William, a fifth-grader, is the son of Larry and Fran Jones of Salisbury.
Hosted by the Rowan County Home School Association at Trinity Wesleyan Church, the bee was sponsored by Staples, Wendy’s, Sonic, Village Inn, Office Depot, Krispy Kreme, and Helping Hands Specialized Transport.
The Rev. Duane Holt served as the pronouncer. Judges were Victoria Byers, president of the Delta Epsilon chapter of the National Home School Honor Society, Professor Scott MacLeod, professional baritone and vocal professor at Catawba College, and Laurie Klaus, veteran home educator and accompanist at Catawba College.