Editor's Note: This concludes our North Okaloosa Spelling Bee series. Congratulations to all the winners.
CRESTVIEW — Destin Middle School's Gabe Tironi will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee's regional finals in Tallahassee in February 2015, and possibly the state finals.
He won Thursday's Okaloosa County competition, which featured two Shoal River Middle School students.
A Nov. 13 spelling bee determined Shoal River's top two spellers. Of the 42 sixth- through eighth-graders who competed, Jaden Johnson, whose last correct word was "nostalgia," was second only to Louis DiRusso, who spelled "churros" for the win.
Top five finalists also included Coleman Gillis, third place; Zachary Meserve, fourth place; and Gracie Marier, fifth place.
Shoal River Interim Assistant Principal Cheryl Seals said, "It was great to see the confidence of the students as they presented their spelling skills in this academic activity. They are all winners!
"We are looking forward to expanding the bee on next year and getting even more students involved."
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual competition where fourth- through eighth-graders compete to be the U.S. spelling champion. Founded in 1879, it is organized by the E.W. Scripps Company and event sponsors.
The entire event for this year culminates the week of May 24-29.
Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Winner named in county spelling bee