Oviya Amalra, a student at J. Michael Lunsford in the Chantilly area, won the 41st annual Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee on March 9.
This article was written by news partner WTOP InsideNoVa.com and reprinted by permission. Subscribe to Free InsideNoVa.com email subscription today.
Oviya Amalra, a student at J. Michael Lunsford in the Chantilly area, won the 41st annual Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee on March 9.
Amalra, a sixth-grader, won the contest by correctly spelling “elan,” a noun that means energy, style and enthusiasm. The spelling bee lasted 10 rounds before defeating runner-up Erdem Dalgun, an eighth-grader at Dayan Academy.
Amalra will compete in the 95th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. More than 200 specialists from all over the country will take part in the event from May 31 to June 2.
“I’m very proud of everyone involved and wish Ovia the best of luck at the National Spelling Bee,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. Daniel Smith. “I am always fascinated by our young people, who demonstrate a mastery and enthusiasm for language from an early age.”
The Prince William Regional Spelling Bee will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00 pm at Gar Field High School, with 45 spellers scheduled to compete.