At first there were 15.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY AS THE CONTESTANTS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

After nine rounds and 80 words there were only five standing in the Ada elementary and junior high spelling bee held March 13. The bee concludes on March 14.

After using all of the words in this year's competition, the bee stopped and five contestants remained. The five finalists are Kade Cortez, eighth grade; Luci Wall, fourth grade; Riley Ferguson, fourth grade; Nathan Hurtig, sixth grade and Olivia Reed, sixth grade.

On March 14 the five will be presented new words and a first, second and third place winner will be named.

The 15 finalists include:
8th grade: Lyric Jones, Terry Sheridan, Kade Cortez
7th grade: Loniesha Lee, Sam Hibbard, Cade Mullins
6th grade: Nathan Hurtig, Olivia Reed, Leah Conley
5th grade: Ryan Kilgallon, Miranda Wills, JJ Sullivan
4th grade: Riley Ferguson, Luci Wall, Lauren McClain

The first place winner will be eligible to compete at the Lima Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 22, at the Lima Senior High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m..