Sebastian Shields, a seventh-grader from Saco Middle School, competes Saturday in the 2019 Maine State Spelling Bee at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. He won the bee after 50 rounds.
Contestants are shown before the start of the bee at the University of Southern Maine on Saturday.
Contestants line up before the start of the bee.
Sebastian Shields, from right, Antionette Logan, Rebecca Aponte and Isabella Ferriter watch Vir Singh Ranger compete after more than three rounds.
Rebecca Aponte, a sixth-grader from Hancock County, competes. She was the runner-up in the bee.
Audience members cheer after a round.
Sebastian Shields reacts after spelling the last word correctly and winning the 2019 Maine State Spelling Bee at the University of Southern Maine on Saturday.
Sebastian Shields hugs his mother, Tina Shields, after winning the bee.
Local & State 
