From left are Independence Elementary spellers Casey Brierly, Charlie Formaro, Stella Dougherty, Kyler O’melia, Bradley Lehman II (Brady), Ethan Heist, Brooke Salinis, Lilly Morris, Kailyn Ehlen, Sydney Fisher, and Nate Chadwick. Photo provided

First place winner Brady Lehman; Kyler O’melia, second place; and Stella Dougherty, third place, will advance to the Oakland Schools Scripps Regional Spelling Bee after coming out on top at the Independence Elementary spelling bee, Jan. 22.
The regional bee will be on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Oakland Schools Offices in Waterford.
The regional champion at the Oakland Schools competition will represent the area at the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C.
The top three Independence spellers have been friends for years, said Brenda Lehman, Brady’s mother.
“Brady and Kyler are best friends and met in preschool,” Brenda said. “Stella and Brady met before kindergarten where they were in Kindermusik together.”