A trio of Western Kentucky elementary and middle school students were among the more than 230 competing Tuesday in the preliminary round of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland. All three were eliminated during the preliminary competition.
Bowling Green Junior High student Ian Gibson lasted the longest, making it to the third round before incorrectly spelling “verset” — which is what you call a short, poetic line, especially from a sacred book.
Isabella Carver, 11, studies at Hanson Elementary School in Hopkins County. She was eliminated during the second round Tuesday after incorrectly defining the word “ingratiate.”
Noah Brumfield, a 13-year-old James Madison Middle School student, was also eliminated during the second round. He incorrectly defined the word “turgor,” a medical term referring to the normal fullness or tension produced by the fluid content of living cells.
All three Kentuckian competitors advanced from the regional qualifier, sponsored by Visit Hopkinsville, in March at the Alhambra Theatre.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee will hold its championship round later this week.
