Whiz Kid: The Spelling Champion

Name: Kate Anoufrieva, eighth grade

School: Walnut Creek Intermediate

Accomplishment: Kate won the Contra Costa County Spelling Bee last week by correctly spelling the word "adage" and advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

"I studied a lot and I think that really helped," said Kate, 14, who competed against 10 other finalists in the championship at the Tice Valley Gym. The competition went quickly with eight finalists missing their first words, leaving Kate to vie against Alamo resident Varun Jain, a Dorris-Eaton School sixth-grader. 

Kate studied hard for the opportunity to advance to the national spelling bee. 

"I'm really excited but also nervous," she said. "There’s a lot of people there and the words will be harder."

Key to Awesomeness: Like many successful spelling champions, Kate attributes her success to hard work and determination. 

"I don't really have any special techniques," she said."I try to just slow down and ask for definitions and whatever I can ask for. I see if there’s anything I might know."

Advice for other students: "Probably I'd tell them to study lots of roots and stuff, that really helps," said Kate. "If you know how to take a word apart it’s easier to figure out the spelling, even if you don’t know the word.

"It comes pretty naturally to me, but hard work will get you to that same level," she said.