ABOVE: The top eight winners of the Switzerland of Ohio spelling bee are, front row from left, Chattum Lively, Brielle Grimes and Alyssa Hornbeck; second row, Jesse Wittenbrook, Kolton Dotterer and Isabella Laudermilt; and third row, Grace Minger and Abbygail Glass.

Switzerland of Ohio Local Schools held its district spelling bee Tuesday.

There were students representing all five of the elementary schools. Students competed and won spots from their school bees in order to compete at the district bee.

Alyssa Hornbeck, a fifth-grader from River Elementary, was the overall winner of the district spelling bee. Isabella Laudermilt of Beallsville Elementary received the second-place award. Chattum Lively of River Elementary took third place.

The top seven students, plus one alternate, from the district spelling bee will go on to compete on March 24 at the regional spelling bee in Marietta, Ohio.

Also representing Switzerland of Ohio Schools at the regional bee will be: Grace Minger – River Elementary, Abby Glass – Powhatan Elementary, Brielle Grimes – River, Kolton Dotterer – River, Jesse Wittenbrook – Skyvue Elementary, alternate. Coaches from each school worked with the students to help them get ready for the district spelling bee and will continue to work with the top eight to prepare for the regional bee.

The coaches for each building are: Jennifer Maas – Beallsville, Rayme Speck – Powhatan, Erin Jeffers – River, Luenda Stollar – Skyvue and Amanda Blackstone – Woodsfield.

The following business and people donated prizes for the district bee: Yoss Law Office, First National Bank of Powhatan, Ohio Valley Community Credit Union, State Farm Insurance – Tim Blue, WesBanco, Woodsfield Savings, Kiwanis Club, Heritage Financial, Paulus Insurance, Belmont Savings, Citizens National Bank and Pandora Neuhart.