13 WTHRKokomo student headed to national spelling bee

Kokomo student headed to national spelling bee

Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News

Kokomo - A Kokomo eighth grader is heading to Washington, DC to take part in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. It was six syllables and 11 letters that helped send her there with the word "beneficiary."

Taryn Thor won a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC this June.

"I was almost frozen for a second. I spelled it like so slow because I couldn't barely even think," said Taryn, remembering the moment when she won the regional competition.

It was her third time competing in the Kokomo Tribune's Regional Bee.

"In 6th grade I got 7th place. And in 7th grade I got 4th place," Thor said.

Turns out, the third time was the charm.

"She worked hard for it," said Terry Thor, Taryn's Father.

Taryn and her dad practiced up to two hours a day to get ready for the regional bee.

"I kept pushing her, no matter what," said Terry.

"It's very tiring. But it's pretty fun sometimes," added Taryn.

Now the work and fun start again as Taryn gets ready for the national stage.

"It's pretty scary going in front of a crowd that huge in front of America," said Taryn.

"I'm just nervous about the first word I'm going to get. Really its pretty crazy what they give you at the National Spelling Bee," the eighth grader added.

"I'll be proud of her for whatever she accomplishes," said her dad.

Right now, Taryn's just excited to be heading to the nation's capital for the first time.