Jonathan Capuyan captures Monterey Countywide Spelling Bee

Jonathan Capuyan, an 8th grader from Palma School, won the annual Monterey County Spellinng Bee on Sunday at Harnell College's Western Stage.

Jonathan won  in the 19th round with the word expectant. He had  finished in second place in the 2013 Countywide Spelling Bee.

Jonathan also correctly spelled the words: barley, maraca, implement, sukiyaki, entourage, samovar, karaoke, escargot, sassafras, commensurate, balalaika, edelweiss, proofread, bloodless, barrier, recipe, therein, and wither.

As champion, Jonathan will represent Monterey County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the Washington, D.C. area May 25-31, 2014. Airfare, accommodations and expenses for a week of tours, activities and the spelling competition will be provided for the champion and a parent by community partners.

Roober Cruz, an 8th grader at San Benancio Middle School, came in second place. Roober and Jonathan went head to head in rounds 8 through 18. Roober correctly spelled the words: sumo, knavery, incorruptible, guilder, mystique, banzai, charpay, innocuous, halal, mercerize, madeleine, mukhtar, refrain, consort, cobwebby, scourge and victim.

Elijah Herrera is an 8th grader at Mission Union School. He correctly spelled the words transect, repel, bower, extravaganza and genre.

Congratulations, champions! You should be proud of your accomplishments.