Autumn Reeves, a sixth-grader from Forest Area Middle School in Traverse City, Michigan, dedicated time and effort to reach the regional event this year, after falling short in 2017. She did more than reach it — she won it. She was confident with most of the words, including those in the final rounds. In addition to the spelling competition, she'd like to see the White House while in D.C. 

Photo credit: Keith King, Traverse City Record Eagle