2009 Buffalo News Spelling Bee Finalists who competed in the Oral Bee on March 8th at the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society

Kevin Drew, Grade 8, Northview School, Wellsville

Anna Magavern, Grade 6, Nichols School, Buffalo

Soumitri Barua, Grade 8, Olean Middle, Olean

Laura Woods, Grade 8, Fredonia Middle School, Fredonia

Hannah Messerschmidt, Grade 8, Grace LEAH Homeschool, West Seneca

Jessica Quaranto, Grade 8, Pembroke Jr. Sr. High School, Corfu

Rachel Curtis, Grade 6, Livonia Intermediate School, Livonia

Audrey Wagner, Grade 6, Wilson Middle School, Wilson

William Grimble, Grade 8, Albion Middle School, Albion

William Erdman, Grade 6, SS. Peter & Paul School, Williamsville

Amanda Whelan, Grade 6, William St. School, Lancaster

Joshu Creel, Grade 8, Park School of Buffalo, Snyder

Anne Pivarunas, Grade 8, Children of Mary Home School, Elma

Agnes Santiano, Grade 6, Queen of Heaven School, West Seneca

Keila Williams, Grade 8, Amherst Middle School, Amherst

Grady Hare, Grade 8, Mill Middle School, Williamsville

Rebecca Sternberg, Grade 8, Heim Middle School, Williamsville

Lewis Lenard, Grade 8, Kadimah School, Amherst

Lucas Przybyla, Grade 6, St. Vincent dePaul School, Springbrook

Megan Keib, Grade 8, Wellsville Middle School, Wellsville

Top five winners of oral spelling bee contest

1st – Kevin Drew

2nd – Hannah Messerschmidt

3rd – William Grimble

4th – William Erdman

5th – Audrey Wagner

Kevin and an escort will travel to Washington, DC on Southwest Airlines, to represent The Buffalo News in the National Bee the week of May 24.