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The Spelling Bee Returns to Durham

Eighth grader from Orange Charter School

Jessia Connelly, an eighth-grader from Orange Charter School defeated 52 other students from Orange and Durham counties Saturday to win the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee at in Page Auditorium. She will now advance to Washington, D.C., where she will compete in this spring's Scripps National Spelling Bee. The event will be televised by ESPN.

The event marked the return of the popular event to the region. When Duke Vice President for Durham and Regional Affairs Phail Wynn Jr. heard that area youth had not had the opportunity to participate for so long, he agreed that his office would serve as sponsor. To read more, click here for the Durham Herald-Sun story. Photos by Megan Morr, Duke Photography