The Henderson County Spelling Bee was held at Southern Jr. High in Media on February 2, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. The winner of the spelling bee was Jackie Collins, (left) daughter of Greg and Lisa Collins of Gladstone. Jackie is a sixth grader at Union Elementary School.

County Spelling Bee runner-up was Amanda Schneider, daughter of Dean and Renee Schneider of Stronghurst. She is a sixth-grade student at Southern Jr. High in Media.

The spelling bee competition lasted 35 minutes and went 7 rounds. The winning word was absorb. Jackie will advance to the Peoria Journal Bee finals to be held in Peoria on Friday, March 18, 2005.