Tyler Price, sixth grader at Thomas Hunter Middle School in Mathews, took first place on Thursday in the first of three elimination bees for the National Scripps Spelling Bee in 2015.

Also placing and qualifying were Carson Brown, a fifth grader, second; and Megan Jordan of the sixth grade, tied for third with Thomas Lewis of the eighth grade.

These four students and 16 others qualified for a district spelling bee to be held in January. Finalists from that competition will advance to the regional bee in February, with a winner chosen from that for the national bee.

Also qualifying for the district bee last week were fifth graders Matthew Beason, Tatianna Braxton, Desiree Dixon, Alejandra McCurry and Justice Ochoa; sixth graders Alisson Alexander, Zahn Darby, Jackson Putt, Nasir Thomas, Christina Watley, and Harley Young; and seventh graders Josh Anthony, Sarah Fitzgerald, Gage Harris, Maeve Love and Lucas Nunnally. Thirty-two students from grades 5-8 participated in the school bee. ...