It was down to the final three spellers. They came from completely different worlds.
Each of them had navigated past 20 other contestants and a series of trick words, silent letter traps and of course, age.
Each of them united through one common goal: being crowned the Senior Spelling Bee Champion of the State of Illinois and all of the perks and privileges that went with it (that being $100 and a certificate)
Michael Kienzler had survived a furiously competitive initial round in the Local Area Spelling Bee and then breezed through the regional round in Menard County leaving him primed and confident as he set to go for the gold at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Making up the final trio with Michael, who was representing the small town of Athens, was Donald Dowler of Quincy...
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