Two area students will advance to the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee in March.

Ted King of Lyle and John Ferris of Austin Area Catholic Schools – Pacelli will go on to the competition after placing in the top 12 out of 64 students during a regional spelling bee Tuesday.

King came in first place and Ferris came in fourth in the morning bee.

Two bees with students from 39 schools took place at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester, and those placing first through sixth in each advance.

The Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee is March 2 at 9 a.m. at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. The winner of the final will advance to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. this June.