Tolar School seventh grader Ann Marie Brown had the opportunity of a lifetime when she competed last week in the National Spelling Bee held in Washington, DC.
The local champion speller went three rounds before being eliminated Thursday.
“She missed four on the first round, which consisted of 25 written word test,” said her grandfather, Bobby Pickron. “During rounds two and three she did not miss any words.” Pickron added that points from all three rounds were totalled before contestants were eliminated.
Ann Marie, 13, enjoyed touring Washington with her family.
“We have spent this week in the Gaylord National Hotel in Maryland on the banks of the Potomac River, almost across the river from Mt. Vernon, which was President Washington's home in Virginia, about the spot where he threw the silver dollar across the river,” said her grandfather, adding that they visited Arlington National Cemetery.
After an awards banquet on Friday, the family flew back home to Bristol.
Ann Marie is the daughter of Beth and Doyle Brown.
