(KNSI) – Ritsche Auditorium on the campus of St. Cloud State University was abuzz this week as 40 students tried for their spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The regional competition for central Minnesota was open to fifth through eighth grades. The challengers weaved their way through a honeycomb of 156 unique words and 11 rounds while avoiding a slew of potentially sticky pitfalls.
The champion came out of District 742. Leyla Jacobson bested Zackary Heinen of Eden Valley-Watkins and Eli Wood of Sartell-St. Stephen. All three are in the seventh grade.
Jacobson will head to Maryland in May for the national championship. The early rounds begin on Tuesday, the 28th. The finals are scheduled for Thursday, the 30th.
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