“It was a really fun experience,” she said.

The 14-year-old daughter of Christopher and Cassandra Clonch correctly spelled “Gemini” in the 12th round to become the 2026 Columbiana County Spelling Bee Champion, the first from Crestview since 1990.

She had to spell quite a collection of words to get there, too, such as “coptic,” “porcelain,” “cybernetics,” “gallbladder,” “existential,” “preposterous,” and “sympathy.”

“I did not study at all,” Caitlin said, but did say she’ll be studying what she can for the national bee.

Crestview eighth grader Caitlin Clonch wins the 2026 Columbiana County Spelling Bee on the word “Gemini” in the 12th round Saturday at Beaver Local High School. As champion, Clonch will represent the county in the 101st Scripps National Spelling Bee May 26-28 in Washington D.C. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

First runner-up was East Liverpool eighth grader Crystal Colon, 13, daughter of Maybelle Colon, who was competing in the county bee for the first time, along with her brother Doz, a sixth grader. He made it as far as the fifth round before bowing out.

Second runner-up was East Liverpool eighth grader Brandon Armstrong, 13, who actually started the day as an alternate and was able to fill an open East Liverpool spot. This was his second year in the county bee. He’s the son of Matthew and Crystal Armstrong.

Caitlin, Crystal and Brandon battled each other through several rounds, starting in the sixth round. In round seven, both Brandon and Caitlin missed their words, but in round eight, Crystal missed her word, so all three were back to spell in round nine. Brandon missed in round 10, then Crystal missed in round 11, leaving Caitlin on her own in round 12 to correctly spell “Gemini.”

All three won plaques. As the champion, Caitlin also wins a one-year subscription to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online, a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica Online Premium, a one-year subscription to News-O-Matic for her school and an invitation to compete at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., including a six-night stay at the JW Marriott Washington, D.C. for the champion and one parent courtesy of the Columbiana County newspapers, Morning Journal, Salem News and The Review.

The county spelling bee was co-sponsored by the Morning Journal, Salem News, The Review and the Columbiana County Educational Service Center.

Columbiana County Spelling Bee winners include from left, first runner-up East Liverpool eighth grader Crystal Colon, second runner-up East Liverpool eighth grader Brandon Armstrong and champion Crestview eighth grader Caitlin Clonch. Clonch will now compete in the 101st Scripps National Spelling Bee May 26-28 in the nation’s capital. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

Caitlin said this was her first time in a spelling bee, not counting the school bee where she was a runner-up. She called it a daunting experience. This will be her first trip to Washington, D.C. and said she wants to take pictures of the White House.

After the bee, 2025 Columbiana County Spelling Bee Champion Maureen Bone introduced herself and told her she’s going to meet a lot of new people. She also told her she probably should study.

Caitlin is the oldest of four siblings. Her mom and her grandma, Kathy Clark, were both in the audience to cheer her on.

“I was a little bit surprised. She’s a smart kid. Just reveling in the moment,” her mom, Cassandra, said.

When Caitlin isn’t spelling, she’s a writer for the school paper, the Rebel Journal. She’s also in the choir, likes to read and has a pet spider.

More than 40 spellers participated from grades fifth through eighth after qualifying during their school bees. At one point during the bee, there was a challenge over an alleged misspelling, with the speller put back in after judges listened to the recording.

“I’m always excited for Bee day,” Spelling Bee Coordinator and Pronouncer Lisa Mistovich said.

Mistovich is a curriculum consultant with the county ESC and explained to spellers they should say their word both before and after they spell it. Spellers were allowed to request additional information, such as an alternate pronunciation, language of origin, definition, part of speech, and use in a sentence.

“Each of these students have already proven themselves as among the best spellers in Columbiana County,” ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said.

This was the 67th county bee and she said it’s an exciting time for the students and the schools. She said the ESC appreciates the school districts putting in all the hard work for the district bees. The students work hard, they practice and this is a big day.

“No matter what happens, we’re proud of them getting to this level,” Williams said.

Judges included Wellsville Public Library Director Tracee Murphy and Rachel Freed of Wellsville Public Library Youth Services and appeals judge Columbiana Public Library Director Kathy Bennett. Representing the newspapers were Advertising Director Lisa Ludovici and Staff Writer Mary Ann Greier along with photographer Gary Leininger.