Spelling Bee Past Champions

1994:     
Eric Shields, Franklin County - "succumbence" - the act or process of yielding to a superior strength

1995:
Tania James, Jefferson County - "spinescent" - tapering to a sharp, rigid point

1996:    
Sarah Seelig, Jefferson County - "crescendo" - swelling in volume of sound

1997:
David Mandel-Anthony, Fayette County - "stratose" - arranged in layers

1998:
Christie Baugher, Floyd County, Ind. - "tumid" - marked by swelling

1999:
Kyra Davies, Fayette County - "ennoble" - to elevate in degree or excellence

2000:
Seth Stogsdill, Lincoln County - "parapet" - a rampart raised upon or above the main wall in a permanent fortification

2001:
James Croushorn, Harlan County - "Sagittarius" - the ninth sign of the zodiac

2002:    
John Tamplin, Jefferson County - "Guernsey" - one of a breed of dairy cattle originally raised on the English Channel island of Guernsey

2003:    
John Tamplin, Jefferson County - "idiosyncratic" - a habit or mannerism particular to an individual.

2004:    
John Tamplin, Jefferson County - "p ansil" - a Buddhist rite of ceremony before meetings.

2005:    
John Tamplin, Jefferson County - "chatelaine" - a clasp or chain worn at the waist for holding keys, a purse or a watch.

2006:    
John Tamplin, Jefferson County - "funambulist" - a noun meaning one who performs on a tightrope or a slack rope.

2007:    
Macy Purcell, Grayson County - "symbiosis" - the living together of two dissimilar organisms.

2008:    
Joshua Caplinger, Carter County - "eucrasia" - a normal state of health

2009:
Priyanka Sheth, Bowling Green, Ky. - "regime"- a mode or system of government

2010:
Emily Keaton, Pikeville, Ky., "sclerosis" - a hardening of tissue or other anatomical features

2011:
Emily Keaton, Pikeville, Ky., "ankylosaur"- an armor-plated dinosaur