Lila Gaudrault of Cape Elizabeth Middle School and Bryce Morales of Berwick Academy were the final two competitors in the Maine State Spelling Bee at the University of Southern Maine on Saturday. Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The judges, left to right Heather Davis, Michael Ashmore and Steve Weigle look on during the Maine State Spelling Bee at the University of Southern Maine Saturday. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Graham Berry of Ashland District School concentrates before spelling a word during the Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Meighan Strout of Saint Dominic Academy carefully spells a word during the Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Michael Hockenberry of Skowhegan Area Middle School tackles a word during the Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Isaiah Hink-Moore of Sacopee Valley Middle School competes during the Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Washington County champion Anthony Soucie, an grade 8, Harrington Elementary, spells a difficult word during the The Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Piscataquis County champion Steffi Victoria, grade 7, Sedomocha Middle School, Dover-Foxcroft, prepares to spell before the judges at Maine State Spelling Bee. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer)

Competitors enter the auditorium before the Maine State Spelling Bee at the University of Southern Maine Saturday. hawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer