JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The First Coast has its spelling bee champion once again, and the title remains with a familiar name.
Sree Vidya Siliveri, a 14-year-old from Alice B. Landrum Middle School in Ponte Vedra Beach, claimed her second straight First Coast Spelling Bee victory Friday night.
Competing against 12 of the region’s top young spellers at LaVilla School of the Arts, Siliveri battled through more than 25 intense rounds before securing the win.
“Usually, I get the jitters,” Siliveri admitted.
And she had to battle through the nerves. With just two spellers left she had a chance to secure the win but just missed the proper spelling.
She took the time during the following break to get her composure.
“I was a little overwhelmed, but I think I did OK,” she said.
Finally, nearly three hours later she was given the word “Ignescent” with a chance to win.
“I-G-N-E-S-C-E-N-T,” she recited letter by letter.
“That is correct,” the announcer confirmed, officially securing her championship.
With the regional title in hand, she now sets her sights on the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May, where she hopes to improve on last year’s quarterfinal finish.
“It’s definitely a long road ahead. We have like two months, and I think I can get a lot of preparation in,” she said.
Sree Vidya Siliveri will represent the First Coast on the national stage from May 27-29.
