The STEM Early High School in Vance County Schools hosted its second annual Spanish Spelling Bee on November 9, with a student from Henderson Middle School taking top honors.

Ximena Rodriguez of Henderson Middle, was the first-place finisher in the spelling bee. She topped Ashley Pendergrass of Vance Early College High, who finished second, and Emily Garcia of STEM Early High, who finished third.

In addition to students from Henderson Middle, STEM Early High and Vance Early College, students from Vance Charter School participated in the competition.

Rodriguez was the only student participating from Henderson Middle. Students from Early College High in the spelling bee were Pendergrass, Brooklyn Davis, Evan Beaudet, Justice Anderson, McKenzie Taylor and Zenee Davis. Those students from STEM Early High included Garcia, Adrian Aguilera, Amanda Cease, Brant Gibson, Jesus Rodriguez, Kelsea Williams and Tanisha Davis. Spellers from Vance Charter included Amber Null, Aniyah Gill, Savannah Ayscue and Yazi Majette.