Joel Greenly, an eighth-grader at Midview Middle School in Grafton, Ohio, said he was confident he would get far in the 35th annual regional spelling bee. Winning the competition, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of Lorain County and The Chronicle-Telegram, was a surprise. The school is celebrating too. Joel is the first "Middie" to advance to the national finals. 

Photo credit: Steve Manheim, The Chronicle-Telegram