WS Harlan sixth grader Chloe Russell won the school spelling bee this week and will represent her school at the county bee in February.

Students in grades four through six competed in the school’s Scripps Spelling Bee.

“After several rounds of words, sixth graders Chloe Russell and Paige Wise went back and forth until Chloe was able to seal the victory with the words javelin and lyre,” teacher Brandi Evans said.

Russell said this will be her first trip to the county spelling bee.

“This year, I didn’t have that much time to prepare for the school bee,” she said. “When I finally buckled down, my mother and father helped me a lot. We went over the words and definitions.”

Russell said she’s participated in the school spelling bee for three years.

Once she won second place, but last year she didn’t place, she said.

“I think I have a lot more work to do before county,” she said. “I still feel like it will be a lot easier since I know what to expect. I’m excited, though.”

Russell is the daughter of Tori Russell and Kevin Russell.