Laurie Alberswerth is no stranger to spelling bees.

The St. Louis resident competed in one when she was in fifth grade, but she didn’t win.

When Alberswerth found out there was a spelling bee that was held at the one-room Wells School during the Old Threshers Show at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Aug. 17, she didn’t waste time signing up for it.

It turned out to be a good decision for the mystery author. She won the adult division of the spelling bee after spelling the word “malicious” correctly.

Alberswerth said she not only enjoyed participating in the spelling bee, but visiting the old school room that used to be housed in the Bellflower area a long time ago.

“It was neat to see the school house and see the old desks and everything,” Alberswerth said. “Having that spelling bee tied in so well.”

Wells School was built in the 1860s by William Tobias Wells in order for his three children to get an education. It was located six miles east of Bellflower. After it was closed in 1948, it was moved to Bellflower. The school was used for a display during the Bellflower Centennial Celebration in 1976.

Now, the one-room schoolhouse makes its home at the fairgrounds. Every year, many visitors come by to see the school during the Old Threshers Show. There are several desks with old books and school programs at the Wells School.

Alberswerth came to the Old Threshers Show along with her husband Michael. It’s the first time the couple saw the schoolhouse.

“It’s really interesting to see how things used to be,” Alberswerth said.
Wells School is the site of a spelling bee that is hosted by the

Montgomery County Area Retired School Personnel Association. Money prizes are given to the top three finishers in each age division.

Besides Alberswerth, the other first-place winners were Kaylee Pritchett of Middletown (kindergarten and first grade), Reagan Hill of Middletown (second and third grade) and Colton Pritchett of Middletown (fourth and fifth grade).

Second-place winners were Michael Alberswerth (adult) and Easton Hill of Middletown (fourth and fifth grade). Third-place winners were Andy Yoder of Curryville (fourth and fifth grade), Susanna Yoder of Curryville (sixth through eighth grade) and Adrienne Dulle of St. Louis (adult).