Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus poses with County Spelling Bee winners, from left, first place winner 7th grader James Hudlemeyer, second place winner 6th grader Penelope Barry-Hoffman and third place winner 8th grader Veronica Parra Wednesday night at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock. Hudlemeyer will move to the next round of competition in Santa Fe. ‘My favorite thing about school is that once you learn, you can apply your learning in real life,’ Hudlemeyer said. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

There was a fierce battle for third place, with many extra rounds. Fourth grader Carmen Cawkwell kept up with the older kids for a fourth place finish. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

From left, Pronouncer Nancy Brugh; Emcee, Timekeeper and Record Keeper Cindy Richard; and Judges Morrie Pongratz, Oliver Morris and Deborah Grothaus listen as a contestant spells a word during the first round. Fifteen students in 4th through 8th grade competed in the County Spelling Bee. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com