INEZ — The Martin County School District is buzzing with excitement following the annual Martin County Spelling Bee. Held at the Martin County High School auditorium, the event drew participants from elementary and middle schools in a battle of spelling skills April 24.

After more than an hour of the final two competitors battling back and forth, Jonah Alley, a sixth-grader from Warfield Elementary School, clinched the championship.

Landon Hager, an eighth-grader from Martin County Middle School, finished as runner-up.

Blake Stacy, an eighth-grader from Martin County Middle, took third place.

Blaine Williams, a fourth-grader from Inez Elementary, was accurate for the fourth-place finish.

Eden Elementary fourth-grader Paige Stafford secured a fifth-place finish.