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The 2025 Pike County Scripps Spelling Bee all came down to the student with the last word. 

The 2025 Pike County Scripps Spelling Bee was sponsored by the Troy University English Department with the Troy Kiwanis Club as a partner sponsor. 

Dr. Scott Nokes, an organizer for the Pike County bee, said 57 students from Troy Elementary School, Pike County Elementary School and Middle School, Goshen Elementary and Banks School all participated in the bee. 

After five rounds, the 2025 Pike County Spelling Bee was down to just two students, Able Dahli from Troy Elementary School, and Nylah Teague, from Banks School. 

It took an additional five rounds to determine the winner of the bee. To win, a student has to spell their word correctly while the other student has to misspell their word. In addition, the student that spelled their word correctly must spell a second, final, word correctly to win. If the student fails to spell the winning word correctly, another round ensues. Nylah had a couple of chances to win in the earlier rounds, but drew some tough words and couldn’t spell out a win.  The words from the final rounds included, clandestine, astringent, derivative, asylum, charismatic, incessant, inclement and annuity. Nylah spelled annuity correctly to advance to the championship word, which was bellwether – which means a sheep that leads the herd, usually with a bell. Nylah was able to spell out bellwether and win the championship for the Pike County Spelling Bee. 

Nokes said Nylah will go on to compete in the state spelling bee in March. 

“I’m really excited,” Nylah said. “I could hear my heart beating the whole time. At first, I really wasn’t into the spelling bee that much. But, I’m really into it now and I’m excited to be going to state.” 

Nylah said she wasn’t that familiar with the word “bellwether” but said she remembered it from the 70-page study guide students were given for the spelling bee. 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 

The judges for the event were Tiffany Button, who will serve as the pronouncer; Wesley Ralph, President of Troy Kiwanis Club; Jason Button, Vice President of Troy Kiwanis Club; and Tom Methvin.