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August 15, 2022

Mississippi Spelling Bee runner-up decided

By Dispatch Staff Report • March 22, 2022

 • 1 min to read

Mississippi Spelling Bee runner-up decided
From left: Elizabeth Simpson, Jessica Widodo and Eltahir Zein display their trophies from the 2022 Mississippi Spelling Bee. Widodo placed first, and because Simpson and Zein both placed second, they received second place trophies. However, only Simpson will serve as Widodo’s alternate for the Scripps National Spelling Bee after she won a tiebreaker on Saturday. Submitted Photo

Hancock County eighth-grader Elizabeth Simpson will serve as Mississippi’s alternate to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Simpson tied for second with Rankin County eighth-grader Eltahir Zein in the state spelling bee March 12 in Columbus. The two faced off in a tiebreaker round in Hattiesburg on Saturday, with Simpson prevailing.

Jessica Widodo of Starkville out-spelled 27 opponents on March 12 to win the state bee and earn her spot in Washington, D.C., at the national spelling bee.

Simpson will go to the national bee if Widodo for some reason cannot compete.

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