MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Twenty-two middle school students from across Marion County showcased their spelling prowess Tuesday evening in a battle of words, vying for the title of the 2025 Marion County Spelling Bee Champion.
After 11 intense rounds, Liberty Middle School’s Ava Mai, an eighth grader, emerged victorious, correctly spelling “derivative” to secure the championship. She received a ribbon and a cash prize, courtesy of the Women’s Club of Ocala, the long-time sponsor of the event and a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Elias Javelona of Howard Middle School finished as the runner-up and was also awarded a ribbon and cash prize for his strong performance.
This year’s competition carried added significance, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place in Washington, D.C., this May.
Students from 11 Marion County middle schools participated in the event, including Belleview, Blessed Trinity, Dunnellon, Fort King, Fort McCoy, Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, Howard, Lake Weir, Liberty, North Marion, and Osceola.
The spelling bee was held at the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium at Marion Technical Institute in Ocala. The event was recorded live for the Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) YouTube Channel (@MarionCountyK12) but will not be available for public viewing until April 1 to protect the integrity of the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s word list.
School-based champions also competed in a regional online spelling bee for a chance to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer.
For more information, contact Spelling Bee Director Mark Ingram at 352.236.0519 or mark.ingram@marion.k12.fl.us. Additional details can be found at spellingbee.com.