13-year-old Alexandra Bartlett is fine tuning her spelling skills. It took three tries, but she won the Anne Arundel County Spelling Bee. Now she is off to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.
"It's a big deal and it will be fun to be in Washington," said Alexandra Bartlett.
Alexandra is a really good speller, but she is also good at swimming, basketball, playing the guitar and piano. She's a member of the Honor Society. In her spare time, she's a peer tutor, helping other students with their studies.
She really enjoys reading and it helps her study for the Bee.
"They have words online that you can print out and study when you win the local Bee. They give you a gigantic dictionary and all the words from the national level are in the dictionary," said Alexandra Bartlett.
Alexandra's mother is a teacher. She helps her study some monstrous words. Donna Bartlett said she is proud of her daughter.
"It's always wonderful not only as an educator, but as a mother to see a young person whether its my student or my daughter work and realize their goals," said Donna Bartlett.
There is no pressure for Alexandra, but her mom has a little insight on Spelling Bees.
"I as a young person also went to the county spelling bee. I did not win the county spelling bee. I have some understanding of what that is like, but not on the national level," said Donna Bartlett.
As Alexandra heads to Washington, DC, she is hoping to bring home the big win to Anne Arundel County and her family.