T-L Photos/JOE LOVELL

ABOVE: Belmont County Spelling Bee champion Jacob Theaker enjoys a send-off celebration with his seventh-grade classmates and teachers. Jacob will travel to Washington, D.C., from May 29-June 3 to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Shown from left, are Martins Ferry Middle School Principal Chas Yoder, Jacob’s teacher and middle school spelling bee coordinator Barbie McKeegan, East Central Ohio Educational Service Center Coordinators Lisa Stupak and Lisa Burrell, the “Bee” Preston Callaway, winner Jacob Theaker, his mother Jennifer, father Rich, brother Ryan, and sister Kayla, along with Superintendent Jim Fogle. County bee sponsors, who also help make the trip to Washington possible, include The Times Leader, Belmont Savings Bank, Uniglobe Travel, Airport Limousine Service, Bordas & Bordas, Belmont College, Ohio River Valley Elks and the Last Central Ohio Educational Service Center