---

Nineteen students competed in the January 26 spelling bee at North Branch Area Middle School, and the bee lasted 14 rounds. Kobe Yang, 6th grade student, was crowned the school champion. Yang won by spelling the word "pneumonia" correctly. Runner-up and alternate for the regional spelling bee is Paige Weber, 8th grade student.

Yang will compete at the regional spelling bee that will take place at Resource Training & Solutions on Thursday, Feb. 11 in Sartell.

---