(KAIR)--An 8th grade student from Atchison’s Saint Benedict Catholic School earned top honors Thursday in the Atchison County Spelling Bee, held at the Atchison Middle School.  

Reyna Tufte took first place by correctly spelling the word “robbery,” while her 7th grade schoolmate, SBCS 7th grader, Trinity Hemp, was named runner-up.  

A total of 44 students, ranging from grades 5 through 8, competed Thursday, representing the Atchison County-based schools of SBCS, the Atchison Middle School, the Atchison County Community Jr High School, and Trinity Lutheran.

Tufte will now compete in the state spelling bee in March sponsored by the Kansas Press Association.