For the first time in at least 40 years, there are two Wisconsin spelling bee champions. Hanna Ghouse, an eighth-grader at KTEC-West in Kenosha, and Immanuel Goveas, a fifth-grader from Riverside Elementary School in Menomonee Falls, were crowned co-champions of the 2018 Badger State Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Wisconsin State Journal. For many years, Wisconsin has advanced the top three spellers. Runner-up Maya Jadhav, a fourth-grader at Madison’s Eagle School, will join Hanna and Immanuel at the national finals.

Photo credit: Greg Dixon, State Journal