Big Flats student wins spot in Scripps National Spelling Bee

CORNING, N.Y. ( WETM ) — An eighth grader from Big Flats will be moving on to the Scripps Nation Spelling Bee after winning a regional spelling bee in Corning.

Thirteen-year-old Reed Fuchs, a student at the Alternative School for Math and Science, won the 14th Annual Corning Rotary Spelling Bee at Corning-Painted Post Middle School on Saturday afternoon. Fuchs won by spelling the word “oblivion” and was surprised by his win.

“I did not expect it at all, honestly, I was just trying to get to lunch!” said Fuchs. “I’m just so amazed, and I’m so glad that my parents supported me doing this, and I just really appreciate everyone.”

Fuchs out-spelled 84 other students from 50 schools around the Southern Tier, the Buffalo area, and Northern Pennsylvania on March 9. He competed against students from first to eighth grade in the spelling bee that lasted for 13 rounds and ran from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fuchs earned the opportunity to participate in Bee Week at the end of May, which will be held just outside of Washington, D.C. During Bee Week, Reed will represent the region while competing in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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