Friday Harbor Middle School’s Justin Ha correctly spelled the words “premises” and “modicum” to claim the 10th annual Spelling Bee sponsored by San Juan Island Rotary Club Thursday, March 12, at San Juan Community Theatre.

By besting the field of 22 competitors, 5th through 8th grades, Justin earned the annual event’s first place trophy, a $100 cash prize, a $200 cash prize for his 7th grade class, taught by John McMain, and a $300 check for the middle school.

Spelling Bee runner-up Joshua May, a 5th grader at Friday Harbor Elementary School, took home $75 and a trophy for finishing in second place, and his class, taught by Andy Duke, received a $150 cash prize. The elementary school received $200 thanks to Joshua’s second-place standing.

The Rotary Club awarded a total of $1,000 in prizes to the top two contestants, their classes and their schools at the conclusion of the event. All 22 contestants received a commemorative medal for participating in the yearly competition.