It took 10 rounds to winnow the field from 26 spellers to three in the annual Lower Dauphin Middle School Spelling Bee on Dec. 3, 2021.

The remaining spellers, eighth-grader Riley Beers and sixth-graders Ben Barreca and Oine Bello, went head-to-head for an additional four rounds until only Ben and Riley faced off for two more rounds. Riley was ultimately crowned champion by correctly spelling the word "lyrically." The final eight rounds of the bee were completed with words the students had not studied previously, as the pronouncers had run out of words on the official bee list after the ninth round.

The competing students were the top three spellers in each sixth-grade academic team as well as top spellers in seventh- and eighth-grade English classes.

Riley, Ben and Oine received cash prizes and advancement to the next round of competition, which is a written semifinal test. High achievement on the semifinal test qualifies a student for a spot in the regional bee this spring.

Riley is the son of Joseph and Kathryn Beers. He listed "incorrigible" as his favorite word because "it is fun to spell." His name will go on the champions' plaque, which hangs in the school lobby.

Ben is the son of Raya and David Barreca. Oine is the daughter of Ademola and Felicia Bello.