Finalists for the Monroe School Spelling Bee gathered after school Jan 12 to compete for a spot in the District 181 spelling bee, which will be held Jan. 25 at Hinsdale Middle School. The winner and runner-up will then compete at the 2023 DuPage County Regional Bee in February, and that winner will then compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington. Some of the students participating included Cecily Bankart, T.T. Mendbayar (the runner up) and Jack Rose. Winner Ben Horton takes a moment after winning the bee with his mom, Vanessa. (Jim Slonoff photos)