Woman shines at spelling bee
BUTLER TWP — Though the annual Butler County Senior Spelling Bee was over in less than 30 minutes, it was hourage that was the key to victory.
To qualify for the county competition, spelling bees were held at each of the Butler County senior centers operated by the Lutheran Service Society.
The winners of each senior center bee advanced to the county bee held during Tuesday's annual Senior Health and Lifestyle Fair at the Butler Days Inn.
"Gladiator" was responsible for knocking out the first contestant from competition.
By round six, words like "hundredth" and "electrochemical" had narrowed the contestant pool to three.
Misspelling "genus," contestant Peggy Amacher of the Cranberry Senior Center was eliminated from the competition, earning third place.
The next word, "dermatology," was misspelled by Betty Martin of the Mars Senior Center.
Remaining contestant Seba Raducz of the Southeast Senior Center, correctly spelled "dermatology," then "hourage" to secure first place.
"I never got a trophy in my life," said Raducz accepting her prize.
In addition to the prize trophy, Raducz will advance to the state competition to be held Thursday at the Prime of Life Festival in York. Her daughters plan to accompany her, serving as a cheering section.
Other contestants in the county bee included Rachael Linamen, Ann Naldus, Rose Steighner, Pat Woods, Marylou Curtis, Rosemary Warner and Jean Bell.
