Last year's champion, Mara Sandberg, was the last seventh grader standing, while Harper Kuhn and James McKinney were the last fourth and sixth graders, respectively.
Each year, students from across the country compete for the chance to represent their schools and communities in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Dondis will compete in the next round on February 14 against winners from other private schools. As runner-up, Sophia will also be recognized at the event.