PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SPELLING BEE CHAMPS … (Left to Right) Runner-up Presley Yoder and Williams County Spelling Bee Champion Brett Neely celebrate their accomplishments with custom engraved plaques.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Students from across Williams County gathered Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Millcreek-West Unity Local Schools to compete in the annual Williams County Spelling Bee.
Seventeen student spellers representing Bryan City, Edon Northwest, Edgerton, Millcreek-West Unity, Montpelier Exempted, North Central, Stryker, St. Patrick Catholic, and St. Mary Catholic schools participated in the countywide competition.
All participants received a medal and a certificate of participation in recognition of their efforts.
Brett Neely, an eighth-grade student from Millcreek-West Unity, pulled ahead in the final round and earned the title of Williams County Spelling Bee Champion.
Presley Yoder, an eighth-grade student from Edgerton Local, finished as runner-up. The champion and runner-up each received engraved plaques.
Both Brett and Presley each had a chance at winning the champion title, but Neely claimed the top spot after correctly spelling the word “tragic.”
Jane Myers, an educational consultant with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, served as pronouncer for the event. Judges included Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center staff members Mike Altman, Dorothy Lambert, and Heidi Bell.
The spelling bee was coordinated by Stacey Parrish, education consultant and Northwest Ohio Opportunity School supervisor, with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.
The Toledo Blade served as the regional sponsor for Williams County.
Through the Scripps National Spelling Bee program, one winner from each participating school district is eligible to advance to the online regional competition scheduled for February 26, 2026.
The in-person regional spelling bee is scheduled to take place March 19, 2026, at the Maumee Indoor Theatre in Toledo.