Xavier Vennum was apparently immune to any stress or pressure of being a finalist in the Riley County Spelling Bee, as his correct spelling of “immune” won him the first place title.

Vennum, a seventh grader at Blue Valley Middle School, said Saturday’s win was his first time at the county bee. Amanda Arnold fourth grader Juan Kim went out in the twelfth round after stumbling on “chambray,” and went home as the second place speller.

Students from Manhattan Catholic Schools, USD 378 Riley County, USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden and USD 384 Blue Valley competed in the spelling bee. Including the practice round, they spelled 95 words.

No extra preparation was required in order for Vennum to take first place. When asked if he’d been studying for the spelling bee, Vennum said, “Not really. I’ve known these things from reading so many books.” When thinking about advice for others who want to compete in spelling bees, he said the parts of a word are what matters.

“If you really want to study about this, I’d study how words are structured, contrary to words, because that can apply to a whole variety of things. Also, if you learn your roots, then sometimes the origin can help you,” Vennum said.

Elise Cincotta, English teacher at Blue Valley Middle School, was in attendance to watch one of her students win the bee. She said she was proud Vennum mentioned and remembered the roots.

Smiles were not uncommon among the contestants and their supporters, and many a congratulations were exchanged. Vennum said he was excited to have won his first plaque for something.

13 students from schools across the county took part in the competition. The remaining 11 eliminated before Kim included Eliot Eiselein, 8th grade, Eisenhower middle school; Elena Baptist-Thompson, 8th grade, Anthony middle school; Liam Tindle, 4th grade, Woodrow Wilson elementary; Calvin Clayton, 4th grade, Theodore Roosevelt elementary; Finn Oppelt, 4th grade, Marlatt elementary; Chloe Tricas, 5th grade, Northview elementary; Milcah Abrehe, 5th grade, Bergman elementary; Alexander Bayless, 7th grade, Manhattan Catholic Schools; Isabel Anderson, 6th grade, Riley County grade school; Mabel Yoon, 4th grade, Lee elementary and Grayson Mitchell, 5th grade, Bluemont elementary.

Vennum will represent Riley County in the state spelling bee March 21 in Salina.