Costin crowned County Spelling Bee Champ

A total of 30 of Phillips County's finest spellers showed up at Dodson School last Tuesday for the 2016 County Spelling Bee. When all the words had been spelled – and misspelled – Malta Middle School eighth grader Ben Costin was crowned as this years champion.

"I was a little nervous at first," said Costin, "but I settled down after a little bit and I think I did well.

With the victory, Costin will now advance to the Montana State Spelling Bee to be held in Billings. He admitted that he didn't study very much leading up the County Spelling Bee, but added that he was sure to practice before heading to the State meet. Costin said he placed fourth at the Malta Middle School Spelling Bee and was tripped-up a bit at the event when asked to spell words he hadn't heard of before.

"That was the first time I had ever placed at a spelling bee," said Costin. "So to win here today feels pretty good, but to be honest I thought I would be one of the first ones out."

In the final round of the event – which was the ninth round of the afternoon – it came down to Costin and Dodson seventh grade student Gabriel Werk. Costin correctly spelled "zenith" before Werk was tripped up by the word "mizzle" (meaning a light rain.)With the championship on the line, Costin correctly spelled "adobe" to take the championship and earn the first place trophy. Costin spelled six words correctly on his way to the 2016 title and he is the fifth student from Malta to win the County Spelling Bee in as many years.

Werk said he was disappointed that he didn't take first place, but added he was mostly happy about how the event progressed.

"I thought I would do pretty well," he said.

Werk said that he, like Costin, did better in the County Spelling Bee than he did in the Dodson Bee and was caught off guard in that event by the words "hubbub" and "hoity toity," words he wasn't familiar with at the time. He admitted that the word he lost on – mizzle – was one he would go home and look-up and most likely never spell wrong again. He added that, at least in this instance, practice didn't make perfect.

"None of the words I practiced were in the spelling bee," he said.

Pronouncer for the County Spelling Bee was Dodson Superintendent Gary Weitz and the event's judges were Saco School's Tanya Funk, Malta Middle School's Shyla Clausen and Dodson School's Donna Young.

Following the event, Dodson School provided refreshments which included chicken wings and fresh vegetables.

2016 Phillip County Spelling Bee Contestants. Dodson: Shaun Ball, Izzabella Messerly, Gabriel Werk, Aliyah Wilson and Treyton Stiffarm. Malta Elementary: Camryn Mears, Jace Oxarart, Kadin Bishop, Arena Niebur and Madyson Bain. Malta Middle School: Kelbee Denham, Carly Garfield, Bonnie Jones, Ben Costin and Zac Judd. East Malta Colony: Gavin Hofer, Laurie Hofer, Hayli Hofer, Gabriel Hofer and Paul Hofer. Saco: Chayten Pippen, Randy Gairrett, Dylan Brown, Brady Albus and Jaydyn Erickson.

Previous Winners of the Phillips County Bee are: Kelbee Denham, Malta, 2015, Bella Mackey, Malta, 2014, Isabel Wright, 2013, Malta, Blake Sjostrom, 2012, Malta, Justin Funk, Saco, 2011, Blake Sjostrom, 2010, Malta, Brandon Nicholson, 2009, Malta, Justin Funk, 2008, Saco, Kayla Gairrett, Saco, 2007 and Kori Kindle, 2006, Malta.