Jefferson County Fair Opens with Spelling Bee Co-Sponsored By BOCES

Elementary and grade school students from across Jefferson County showcased their mastery of spelling, competing in the annual fair spelling bees held on the opening day of the 2026 Jefferson County Fair on July 14.

Three competitions were held-Grades 1-2, 3-5, and 6-8.  

The spelling bee competitions are an annual staple of the fair’s opening day festivities.  Jefferson-Lewis BOCES is a proud co-sponsor of the spelling bees in conjunction with the fair.  

The top four finalists for each of the competitions are listed below.

Grades 1-2

1^st Place: Rilynn Smith, Lyme Central School

2^nd Place: Alora Dumaw, Lyme Central School

3^rd Place: Reagon Garlock, Alexandria Central School

4^th Place: Lucian Bean, Belleville Henderson Central School

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Grades 3-5

1^st Place: Timothy Duffany, LaFargeville Central School

2^nd Place: Anthony Ormsby: South Jefferson Central School

3^rd Place: Austyn Coughlin, Thousand Islands Central School

4^th Place: Victoria Muturi, Alexandria Central School

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Grades 6-8

1^st Place: Merida Favret, Lyme Central School

2^nd Place: Lucas Valley, Belleville Henderson Central School

3^rd Place: Sophia LaVorgna, Watertown City School

4^th Place: Henrik Ryder, Alexandria Central School

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Photos from the spelling bees can be found here.

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