The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicked off Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor.

A student from Visalia who won second place in the Scripps National Spelling Bee came home from Washington, D.C. to find he had won first place in the hearts of his classmates and teachers. Eighth-grader Sarvadnya Kadam from Oak Grove Elementary says he went into his third year of competition with his eyes on the prize.

A north country seventh-grader will be looking to continue his success at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Micah Sterling, who is a student in the General Brown Central School District, is 12 years old and is a veteran for previous spelling bees.