something created something.

Wonderful, indeed.

>> Hopkinsville again this year hosted a regional qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee Western Kentucky.

Students competed to join the 245 spellers in the national competition with $50,000 on the line.

Here's our Laura Rodgers again with more on how the contest help students be their best to I feel grateful to have the opportunity.

>> Ian Gibson, a Bowling Green advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2 years in a row.

>> It's just an amazing chance to not only go there and compete against some of the brightest kids in the country.

>> But also get to experience the >> It's all thanks to the efforts of visit Hopkinsville receiving a grant to host the regional Spelling Bee inviting students from across Western Kentucky to compete.

It's really a good thing for our community.

That's a good thing for Kentucky.

Francine Gilmer is executive director of the Christian County Literacy Council.

It's important that we encourage students to do spelling because that is a basis for learning.

>> Spelling writing, reading their platinum sponsorship allows them to send the top 3 finalists to the national competition.

>> When you get to the national level, you really see how important it is that students are engaged in learning that they understand vocabulary Jea says strong spelling skills are also essential for college and career goals.

It just gives a person a greater range of opportunities, said White >> a ship since as though nervous he was committed to doing his best using spelling apps on his phone to prepare going the furthest of the western Kentucky winners and actually went through round 4 and he was one of the semifinalists the word he misspell.

He says he'll never forget.

It was since this is us.

Why and Ph.

Why us?

I guess I adored just watching the kids and their routines and rituals they do before they spell words.

There was one guy this year.

I thought it was so precious that you could tell.

He was literally praying.

>> You know, before he spell this word, the arrow up 2 key.

>> A 12 year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida, winning the B and a spell off.

Hey, try PRC, tme.

These are not easy words, but the students make it look, are says Hopkinsville hopes to find a sustaining sponsor to continue hosting the regional qualifier students really take full advantage of these opportunities.

And again, it helps them grow.

It builds confidence.

Yes, Gibson says he hopes more local students will take advantage of the opportunity.

It will change the way you think about language and so many ways for Kentucky