Folsom Middle School seventh-grader Snehaa Ganesh Kumar, will represent her school and the region at the the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 24-29, in Washington D.C. 

 

Snehaa recently won the Central Valley Bee by correctly spelling the word "opificer." The win was a long-time coming for Snehaa, who has been competing for the regional title since the thrid grade, according to a Sacramento Bee report. 

 

Snehaa was one of 61 students who first had to win their school spelling bees and pass a written spelling test to compete for a chance in the national finals, said a school news release. 

Snehaa studied for at least an hour every day to prepare. She regularly looks up unknown words while reading, and often reads the dictionary, the school said.

 

Watch the video from the Sacramento Bee below to see Snehaa reaction to winning the Central Valley title.