HMS student wins spelling bee

Vander Swensen, an eighth-grader from Havre Middle School, is the champion speller in Hill County.

He won the annual Hill County Spelling Bee at the middle school Wednesday.

His parents are Kathleen and Lars Swenson of Havre.

He correctly spelled 'wasabi' in round 7 to advance to a championship round where he correctly spelled 'flamenco.'

He will represent Hill County in the Treasure State Spelling Bee March 22 in Billings.

Second place was won by Cole Hanson, who won last year's spelling bee.

He is in seventh grade at Havre Middle School.

Third place was won by McKenzie LaValley, a Havre Middle School eighth-grader.