(ICOE Spelling Bee was held Thursday evening)....There were 37 competitors from 19 schools around the county.

The Imperial County Office of Education annual event was held at the Jimmie Cannon Theater at Southwest High School. The event was viewed by 360 resident via live stream. It was the first time 14 year old Daniel Lemus competed in the event, and he made the best of it by correctly spelling Posthaste. That gave the 8th grader from Frank Wright middle School in Imperial the victory. He will represent Imperial County at the upcoming Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. The Imperial County Office of Education foundation is already fundraising to pay for the trip. The runner-up at the local event was 13 year old Kristabella Cardiel from Wilson Jr. High School in El Centro.