Twenty-two middle school students from across Marion County competed in a battle of words Tuesday evening to become Marion County’s 2025 Spelling Bee Champion.
After 11 rounds, Liberty Middle School’s Ava Mai, an eighth grader, emerged victorious as the county’s top speller. She took home a ribbon and cash prize provided by the Women’s Club of Ocala, the Bee’s long-time sponsor and part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Ava spelled “derivative” as the championship word to earn the title.
Elias Javelona of Howard Middle School finished as the runner up and also took home a ribbon and cash prize.
The 23rd annual Marion County event also marks a special milestone – the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee taking place in Washington DC in May.
Students from 11 Marion County middle schools participated in Tuesday evening’s competition, including Belleview, Blessed Trinity, Dunnellon, Fort King, Fort McCoy, Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, Howard, Lake Weir, Liberty, North Marion, and Osceola.
The event was held at the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium at Marion Technical Institute in Ocala.
School-based spelling bee winners also participated in the regional online spelling bee for a chance to advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee this summer.
