Fifth-grader Michelle Wu has the opportunity to compete in the semifinal round of the Hofstra Long Island Regional Scripps Spelling Bee after recently winning her school’s spelling bee on Jan. 13.

Michelle, who will compete at Hofstra on Feb. 5, became her school’s spelling champion after competing against 16 of her peers, including fellow top speller Isabelle Chen, a fourth-grader, who took second place. Michelle, won by correctly spelling the word, “mahogany.”