Sixth-grader Ketch Jacobson topped 10 other students in a lengthy spelling bee at the Haines School Wednesday, finally clinching the title with “hamlet.”
“I think a lot of it was luck,” said Jacobson, 12. “Someone would get a word right, and then they’d get the next one wrong.”
After several rounds against finalists Marty Fowler, 11, and Skye Posey, 9, Jacobson said the words became easier when he won with “ferret” and “hamlet.”
The spelling bee tested the mettle of the best spellers from fourth to eighth grade, who had advanced through classroom competitions. Posey was the homeschool entrant. Students and parents packed the bleachers.
High school science teacher Mark Fontenot served as pronouncer.
Students were eliminated quickly in the early rounds, felled by words such as “citizen,” “satchel” and “crocodile.”
Jacobson had an early chance to win after Fowler and Posey stumbled on “enzyme” and “exoskeleton,” respectively. Jacobson correctly spelled “whisperer,” but he still had to spell one more word for victory, and “unanimous” stumped him.
Posey later had a shot at the championship, due to her correct spelling of “monstrosity.” Fontenot then informed Posey her next word was “zigzaggedness,” which drew laughter from the crowd. Posey missed, and the bee continued.
Both Jacobson and Posey had additional tries to spell a word to win the bee, but words like “hexagonal,” “lackadaisical” and “quadrilateral” were too much of a hurdle. All three students remained in the bee.
After the bee ran more than an hour and about 20 rounds, Jacobson spelled “hamlet” for the win.
Fowler earned second place with “visibility,” following Posey’s misspelling of “procedure.”
“I was really nervous,” said Fowler, a fifth-grader.
Posey showed spelling ability well beyond her years, and credited her love of reading.
The American Legion Auxiliary awarded prizes of $25, $15 and $10 to the top three finishers, and will pay transportation and lodging expenses for Jacobson and a parent to make the trip to Anchorage for March’s statewide competition.