SCHULTZ STUDENT 1ST RUNNER-UP IN SPELLING BEE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Tina McCloskey, a seventh-grader at L.J. Schultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau, was the first runner-up in the District Spelling Bee held Saturday at Sikeston Middle School.

The district champion was Laura Cato of Poplar Bluff Junior High School.

Twenty-eight students competed in the District Spelling Bee, the largest number of contestants in recent years, said a spokesman for Schultz.

Both the district champion and the first runner-up have been eligible in past years to compete in sectional competition in St. Louis sponsored by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The sectional this year is scheduled for April 24 at the St. Louis Art Museum.

Tina is the daughter of Pat McCloskey of Cape Girardeau and Joe McCloskey of Perryville.

Also competing in the bee was Emily Marr, representing Washington Elementary School, and Erin Rigdon, representing Franklin Elementary.