Denham crowned as Phillips County Spelling Bee Champ

Though Kelbee Denham had no idea what the word "Flemish" meant, she gave it her best shot when asked how to spell it at last week's Phillips County Spelling Bee in Saco and, with a little luck, got it correct to win this year's contest.

"I have never heard that word before, so I just guessed," she said after winning the Bee. Prior to "Flemish," Denham had to correctly spell "contiguous," yet again another word she had never been called upon to spell prior to Tuesday.

"I guessed on that one too," she said.

Denham was part of a field of 30 spellers – grades five through eight – to earn spots at...