Event emcee (name not specified) opened the Rockcastle County district spelling bee at Rockcastle County High School, thanking the high school for hosting and introducing participants from the county’s middle and elementary schools.

The competition drew dozens of students from Broadhead, Mount Vernon, Roundstone and other elementary and middle schools in Rockcastle County. Students competed in multiple oral rounds before judges from the district’s gifted-and-talented program and school staff. Prizes included plaques produced by the Rockcastle County High School FFA department and cash awards.

The event matters locally because it highlights districtwide academic programs and recognizes students who advanced from their schools to the district level.

Superintendent Dr. Carrie Ballinger presented awards near the end of the program. In the middle-school division, first place went to Carabella Meeks (seventh grade); second place went to Gabe Souder; and third place was Jasper Reynolds. The elementary division winner was Noah Bullock (third grade), with Addie Carter finishing second and Henry Raider third. Winners received plaques and cash awards: $50 for first place in the middle-school division, $20 for second and $10 for third; the elementary prizes matched that scale.

Event emcee praised the organizer, saying, “Miss Darla Benz has put so much effort and commitment into organizing and planning this day.” The transcript identified Darla Benz as the district’s gifted-and-talented coordinator and credited her with running the competition; at another point the transcript shows the last name rendered as “Venn.” Judges named on the program included Kaye Mahaffey (staff at Rockcastle County High School), Ali Owens, Jonathan Munguia, Haley Fletcher, Carter Powell and Dylan Pickle.

Organizers asked students to remain standing until the end of each round and reminded them they could request a word to be repeated, used in a sentence or defined. The emcee noted this was the district spelling bee’s third year and thanked parents and staff for supporting participants. The event concluded with awards presentations and refreshments for students.

Details recorded in the transcript include a list of participants from multiple schools (Mount Vernon Elementary, Broadhead Elementary, Roundstone Elementary and others), the judges’ names, and that plaques were made by the Rockcastle County High School FFA department. Cash prize amounts were stated on stage as $10 (third place), $20 (second place) and $50 (first place) in the respective divisions.

Organizers invited parents to take photographs and said students would receive lunch after the ceremony. No formal board votes or policy actions were taken at the event.