MADISON, Wis. — Schools across Wisconsin have crowned their best spellers, as spelling bee season begins nationwide. 

The road to the Scripps National Spelling Bee begins at the school level. Schools hold bees to crown their winner, who will then head to a local competition with winners from multiple schools in that area. 

At Jefferson Middle School Friday, about two dozen students competed to be crowned the school champion. 

Seventh-grader Emma Kidarsa ended up the winner by spelling the word “proctors”. 

“I study the school word lists, and my mom practices with me,” Kidarsa said. “I practice spelling them, and I learned what they mean.”

This is her fourth spelling bee win. 

“A little stressful, but it was fun,” she laughed. “I feel great. I’m excited.” 

Schools have until Jan. 31 to have their bees. Then, those winners will head to bigger local competitions. In Madison, that’s the All-City spelling bee. After that, those winners will go to the Wisconsin state spelling bee March 26. 

That winner will then go on to represent Wisconsin in Washington D.C. in June in Scripps National Spelling Bee.