Co. Spelling Bee

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

PHOTO: Jay Cullen Thompson, the winner of the DeKalb County Spelling Bee, and DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett. (Contributed Photo)

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Fort Payne Middle School (FPMS) student Jay Cullen Thompson won the DeKalb County Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 26.

Thompson, a 7th grader at FPMS, won his school's respective spelling bee before advancing to the county level.

"We are very proud of Jay Cullen Thompson," said FPMS Assistant Principal Dan Groghan. "It takes a lot of academic preparation to succeed in a spelling bee. His grit and tenacity will benefit him as he prepares for the next round."

"I am very proud of all our county spellers. It takes great courage to participate at the school level, but especially the county level," said DeKalb County Superintendent Dr. Jason Barnett. "I have great confidence that Jay Cullen will represent DeKalb County well at the state spelling bee."