BEDFORD— In a rare and impressive feat, fifth-grader Michael Allbright of St. Vincent De Paul claimed the overall championship at the 2025 WBIW Lawrence County Spelling Bee presented by The Lawrence County Health Department on Tuesday, defeating a field of older competitors at Schafer Auditorium in Bedford Middle School.
Allbright, who had secured the elementary-level title the night before, outlasted nine champions from area middle schools, becoming one of the youngest winners in the event’s history. The competition lasted six rounds, with Allbright clinching victory after correctly spelling “spaghetti” before runner-up Naomi Hall’s misspelling of “scarab.” Hall, a sixth-grader from Springville Community Academy, finished in second place, while Jacob Taylor of Lawrence County Independent Schools placed third.
For his achievement, Allbright received a trophy, a t-shirt, and a $100 cash prize. When asked about his plans for the money, he humbly stated he would share it with his cousins.
Despite his young age, Allbright didn’t require extensive preparation for the competition, crediting his photographic memory for his spelling prowess. Known among friends as “Michaelpedia” or “Human Auto-Correct,” he expressed aspirations of competing in national spelling bees while also harboring a dream of becoming a DJ. His favorite school subject, however, is physical education.
Allbright is the son of Kyle and April Corns of Bedford.
The Lawrence County Spelling Bee brought together top spellers from elementary and middle schools across the region, showcasing the linguistic talents of local students. This year’s edition proved especially memorable, with an elementary champion rising above the competition to make history.
The 2025 WBIW Lawrence County Spelling Bee was presented to you by the Lawrence County Health Department.
Additional sponsors were brought to you in part by:
- Bedford Federal Savings Bank
- Papa John’s of Bedford
- Hoosier Hills Credit Union
- Golden Corral
- Thomas Insurance Services
- Gerkin Construction
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Lawrence County Community Foundation
- Geo Flo
- Cox and Kimball Insurance
- Bedford Public Library
- American Rental Home Furnishings
- Rowland’s Quick Lube
- Hometown Carpets
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