PHOTO BY MARY CANNADAY
David Steele, vice president at Polk State College, was the emcess for the spelling bee event in Winter Haven.

PHOTO BY MARY CANNADAY
This group from the East/West Central Adult Schools were rowdy and enthusiastic supporters for last year's winner Ann Hargrove. She finished in second place this year.

PHOTO BY MARY CANNADAY


Defending champion Ann Hargrove, of the East/West Area Adult Schools, held her own up to the tenth round. Here she spells a word given her by word pronouncer Lenore Devore, of the Ledger Media Group.

PHOTO BY MARY CANNADAY


Can you tell he's happy? Ron Hughes, a sulfuric process operator for Mosaic, won the big trophy for his company to display for the upcoming year. Hujghes, of Polk City, spelled down to the wire against defenidng champion Ann Hargrove, and came in first this year, up from second place last year.