Roshini Asirvatham, an 8^th grade student from Rochester Public Schools-Friedell Middle School was declared the champion after correctly spelling the word dihedral. Roshini was also champion in 2010 as a 6^th grade student.

Roshini advances to the 85^th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 29 - June 2, 2012. She won an all-expenses paid trip (for herself and one adult) to Washington, D.C. (donated by Southeast Service Cooperative and KM Telecom). She also received a first place trophy, Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (provided by Scripps National Spelling Bee), a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Student Edition, a $100 Series EE Savings Bond (donated by Jay Sugarman, Chairman and CEO of iStar Financial in honor of his father, Samuel Louis Sugarman) and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.

Shane DeSilva, a 6^th grade student from Austin Area Catholic Schools, was the 1^st Runner-Up. Shane received a trophy, a Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition and Valerie’s Spelling Bee Supplement Booklet.

John Nelson, an 8^th grade student from Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools, was the 2^nd Runner-Up. John received a trophy along with a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Student Edition.

Other students participating in the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee were:

Marisa Alvarado, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools, 7^th grade

Claire Colby, Rochester Public Schools, 8^th grade

Nayelli Guerrero, LaCrescent-Hokah Public Schools, 8^th grade

Hannah Mahr, Northfield Public Schools, 8^th grade

Devon Nerstad, Spring Grove Public Schools, 7^th grade

Rachel O’Shaughnessy, Rushford-Peterson Public Schools, 8^th grade

Olivia Riggins, Northfield Public Schools, 8^th grade

Megan Vehrenkamp, Dover-Eyota Public Schools, 8^th grade

Larissa Wendland, Winona Public Schools, 7^th grade

The Spelling Bee competitions in southeast Minnesota are sponsored and coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative and co-sponsored by KM Telecom.

www.spellingbee.com