By Rita Howell
Five students who’d won their schools’ spelling bees came together January 9 at the Batesville Public Library for the annual Panola County Spelling Bee. Kisharria Ruffin, a fifth grader at Crenshaw Elementary, was the winner and will advance to the Mid-South Spelling Bee in Memphis in March.

The regional bee this year will include second place winners from county competitions, so Taylor Spriggs, who represented Pope School and placed second behind Kisharria, will also attend.

Other spellers who participated in the county bee were Xavier Jackson who represented Batesville Junior High School and placed third; Emma Bainer of Batesville Middle School and Kelmisha Jackson of Como Elementary.
The bee was judged by retired school teachers Linda Holland, Joy Tippit and Denise Benson. Geneva Baird coordinates the event and served as the pronouncer.

Cash awards were presented to the top three finishers. Kisharria received $100. Taylor was presented $50 and Xavier won $25.