JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Erik Williams of Clay County was crowned the champion of the First Coast Spelling Bee on Tuesday evening, besting 13 other students from across Northeast Florida for a chance to represent the First Coast on the national stage.
It all came down to one word: Dalliance.
Erik, a student of St. Johns Country Day School, came in second place in 2018. In 2019, he went all the way.
"I'm just so happy that I won. I was able to just take that step," Erik said.
Erik gave thanks to his mom and dad for motivating him to compete.
UNCUT: 2019 First Coast Spelling Bee
The 75th annual First Coast Spelling Bee was hosted by News4Jax and sponsored by Jenkins Hyundai of Jacksonville. The competition pit some of the brightest students, grades 5 through 8, from 14 counties against each other.
Erik will move on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
LEARN MORE: Meet the top 14 spellers on the First Coast
Spellers taking part in Tuesday’s competition included:
- Ansley Cutshaw, Nassau County
- Cassie Clay, Suwannee County
- Jenna Hinson, Madison County
- Cyanne Carey, Baker County
- Sarah Welch, Hamilton County
- Graham Glasheen, Duval County
- Patrick Narcowich, Union County
- Armand Kuykendall, Putnam County
- Brandon Plum, Bradford County
- Erik Williams, Clay County
- Addison Davis, Flagler County
- Nicholas Chowdhury, Columbia County
- Francheska Melendez, Alachua County
- Manischa Wijayawardhana, St. Johns County