An eighth grader from Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy will compete in the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. after winning a spelling bee put on by the Kiwanis Club of Lafayette and the Kiwanis Club of Acadiana.

Alyssa Walker secured first place by spelling the word hydrology.

There were two spelling bees: one for 6th-8th graders and the other for 3rd-5th graders. The winner of the latter competes in the national competition.

Forty-seven students competed today. Alyssa will compete against about 500 students in Washington D.C. at the end of May.

Winners of 6th-8th grade competition:

2nd place- Ella Menard, 8th grade, Cathedral Carmel School
3rd place- Mya Arceneaux, 7th grade, Carencro Catholic School

Winners of 3rd-5th grade competition:

1st place- Beatrice Long, John Paul the Great Academy
2nd place- Libby Caillier, St. Bernard School
3rd place – Briana Tor, St. Michael Catholic School

This is the tenth year the Kiwanis Club sponsored the spelling bee.