West Rowan Middle School seventh-grader Jessica Erwin won this year’s Rowan-Salisbury Schools Spelling Bee, held Feb. 14 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Teaching Auditorium.

Rowan Business Alliance Executive Vice-President Richard Perkins, President Jimmy Greene and Past President Janet Haynes were on hand as $5,225 in prizes and awards were given out to contestants. As the top speller, Erwin won a $500 academic scholarship from the Rowan Business Alliance Association, a $1,000 Dell computer system, a $50 gift certificate from Ralph Baker’s Shoes, a 1-year membership to the Rowan County YMCA, $75 in cash, and a $75 contribution to her school’s media center.

“That is more than I have heard from any other county,” Master of Ceremonies Karl Hales said of the dollar amount of prizes given for the spelling bee. Hales, a communications professor at Catawba College, lauded Rowan Business Alliance and its commitment to the event year after year. “This is one of the ways that Rowan Business Alliance demonstrates its dedication to making the community a better place,” he said.

The 25 contestants fidgeted nervously on stage as Hales gave instructions, to them and to the audience. “These students are winners already, or they wouldn’t be here,” Hales said. “We want to congratulate them all.” In the end, Erwin’s stiffest competition came from Caroline Wood of Isenberg Elementary, who took second place; Arjee Restar of Knox Middle School, the third place winner; and Brittany Sweat of Enochville Elementary, fourth place winner.

This was the third county spelling be for Erwin, 12, daughter of Carla and Danny Erwin. Judges for the event were Linda Sufficool, Jane Fallis and Kelly Feimster. Coordinators were Julie Joslie and Judy Rocco. Rowan Business Alliance sponsored the spelling bee with support from 56 local businesses. To find out more about becoming a sponsor of the annual event, contact Richard Perkins at 704-636-3629, ext. 226.