SELMA-- Johnston County Schools' Spelling Bee champion is Patrick O'Neal, a 14-year-old eighth grade student at McGee's Middle School. O'Neal earned the honor at the annual Johnston County Schools 2005 Spelling Bee on Monday, April 25 at in the Selma Elementary School Auditorium. Twenty-two schools participated with one representative each. The competition was open to students in Grades 4 - 8. Patrick won by spelling the word "preemergent" correctly. Patrick's coach was Kristen Blanda. His parents are Allan and Maureen O'Neal. Also placing in the competition were Ivy Roberts, 5th grader at West Clayton Elementary, second place; 3rd Place, 4-way tie) Payton Tracy, a fourth grader from Benson Elementary; David Lee, a seventh grader from Meadow; Sarah Harris, a fifth grader from Micro-Pine Level; and, Jason Massey, an 8th grader from Princeton. Others involved in the Bee: Facilitator: Cary Lane Cockrell Pronouncer: E. D. Hall Assistant Pronouncer: Anne Meredith Judges: Dr. Chris Godwin, Vickie Boyette (K-12 lead teacher) and Melissa Oliver (SAIL After-School Coordinator) Assistants: Donna Faircloth and Beth Marcom
