Pictured left to right are Martins Ferry Middle School spelling bee winners Joseph Kurtley, who came in second place and Declan Gwennap, who finished first. Both advance to the 2025-26 Belmont County Spelling Bee, scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the ECO Center on the campus of Ohio University Eastern, St. Clairsville. The county bee is sponsored by The Times Leader, Belmont Savings Bank, Wilson Furniture, Wilson Funeral Homes, LED Transportations, Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel, East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and the Martins Ferry Elks.