Psi Iota Xi sorority sponsored its fourth annual Komedy Spelling Bea, chili cook-off and silent auction Feb. 4 at Brown County High School.

The “bea” featured 18 local celebrities as spelling contestants, many of whom dressed in costume.

Dressed as a slice of cherry pie, the winner of the spelling bee was Marilyn Fagg, who entered the contest for the first time this year. Her winning word was “chrysanthemum” — which Psi Iota Xi happens to sell as a fundraiser.

The runner-up was Pam Raider, representing the League of Women Voters.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Before the bee, diners sampled a variety of 22 chili concoctions and voted on cook-off entries by adding cash to their favorite choices’ cup.

Max Fish, a 1978 BCHS alumnus, won the cook-off with his “Chili to the Max.” Along with the traveling “Golden Ladle” award, he received a cutting board made by Dean Keefauver, a teacher at the high school.

Joe Miller, a school bus owner, was the runner-up chili cook.

From the bee, cook-off and silent auction, Psi Iota Xi collected a total of $3,375 for Brown County scholarships to help with local music, art, literature, speech and hearing needs.