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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Thorsby High School found its representatives to the county spelling bee during the school-level competition on Jan. 7.

Lexie Matson won the elementary division, and Eli Wade correctly spelled “simplicity” to win the middle school division.

“I felt excited but nervous,” Lexie Matson said. “I had butterflies in my stomach, but then when a few people got eliminated I felt a little better.”

The final two went for a few rounds before Lexie correctly spelled her championship word for the win.

“When I won, I was very happy and excited because I have never won a spelling bee,” Lexie said.

This was her second time competing in the school level bee. She said she will continue to study in order to do well in the county-level bee.

Shay Carroll was the runner up of the elementary bee.

Eli also said he was nervous going into the competition. He had won the school-level bee in sixth grade, but was eliminated during the county-level competition.

He plans to “study a lot harder” this time to excel in the county spelling bee.

Being good at spelling and enjoying competition gave Eli a desire to participate in the spelling bee.

Kaden Collins was the runner-up for the middle school division.

The county-level bee will be held on Feb. 4 at LeCroy Career Technical Center at 8:30 a.m.