The annual archdiocesan spelling bee was held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Our Lady of the Assumption School. Nineteen students—one representative from each of the schools within the archdiocese—were present at the competition, which is held each year as part of Catholic Schools Week festivities.

The winner of the spelling bee, Kaitlyn Bregman, is an eighth- grader from St. John the Evangelist School in Hapeville. J.P. Smith, a sixth-grader from Christ the King School, Atlanta, came in second. Tied for third place were Taylor Halbig, a seventh-grader from St. John Neumann School, Lilburn, and Todd Jones, an eighth-grader from Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta.

The competition was one of the longest in recent history, lasting over two hours, with Bregman and Smith volleying back and forth for quite some time. Not only were the contestants poised and knowledgeable, they inspired everyone in the audience with their spirit of camaraderie and fairness. Participants and organizers agreed that the bee was an excellent example of Christian competition.

The panel of judges included Judy Wright of Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, Steve Siler of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, and Brian Williams of Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn. The caller was Eric MacNaughton of Marist School, Atlanta.

The winner and runner-up will participate in the Georgia Independent School Association spelling bee, round 1, on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Walker School, Marietta.