BRIDGEPORT — The Bulldogs gave a grand sendoff to Brett Kuprowicz, who won first place at the Belmont County Spelling Bee on Feb. 13 and will go on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., from May 27-29.

A total of 243 students qualified from across the country and beyond. Brett’s number will be 174.

Classmates, teachers and his family turned out for a surprise in front of the school building Thursday, May 14, which was also Brett’s 14th birthday.

Brett was caught off guard when he walked out the front doors and saw classmates and teachers lined up to cheer him on.

“I was in a meeting with my basketball coach, and I came up and everyone was standing outside,” he said.

Brett said he appreciated the encouragement as he prepares to tackle the national bee.

“I hope I don’t let them down,” he added.

A four-time competitor at the county spelling bee, going to the nationals has been a longtime ambition for him.

“Even being in the bee is a big accomplishment,” he noted.

Since winning the Belmont County Spelling Bee, he has been training hard for the next level, using the Word Club app to quiz himself.

His mother, Jessica Kuprowicz, is proud of his dedication.

“He has been studying every single day, between the spelling bee app and the papers he was sent home with at school.”

She also appreciated the outpouring of encouragement from the community, citing “tons of love and support, especially from his school district.”

Brett will be heading out with Jessica, his father Noah and sister Hannah. He looks forward to exploring Washington, D.C., and meeting the other top spellers from across the country.

“We’re just excited to go to D.C.,” Jessica said.

Noah agreed.

“I’m just very proud of him. He’s very determined and a very motivated kid, and I think he’s going to do very well,” he said.

“He wants to see the White House. He definitely wants to go sightseeing. He’s never been to D.C. before, so he’s really excited about that,” Noah said. “It’s very nice to see his fellow students and all his friends supporting.”

Gifted Intervention Specialist Arleen Keller is confident Brett will excel.

“He’s never given up with his practicing. He went right from practicing for the district to practicing for D.C. He never stops practicing. Every day,” she said.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment. I think a lot of it was his confidence because he worked so hard. He went over those words again and again to make sure he knew them all,” she said. “You have that feeling. You just know. I had a good feeling he was going to make it to Washington, D.C. I have a great feeling he’s going to make a good finish in D.C., too.”

She has worked closely with him in the talented and gifted class.

“He’s obviously an excellent speller, but Brett is very dedicated and has all his work done on time. He’s a very critical thinker. He thinks outside the box,” she said.

She said a lot of people will be cheering him on.

“The kids are very encouraging. They made a sign for him, and they made little Bs and put: ‘Good luck, Brett.’ And: ‘You can do it, Brett.'”

Middle School Principal Anne Haverty Lawson commended Brett’s accomplishments as he makes ready to graduate from her school and begin the next stage of his education.

“It’s neat to see the support of his peers wishing him well to go to Washington, D.C., and compete in just a very short amount of time. Just an amazing way to end his eighth-grade year and start his high school career.”

The Belmont County SPelling Bee and Brett’s trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee are sponsored by The Times Leader, Belmont Savings Bank, Wilson Furniture, Wilson Funeral Homes, LED Transportations, Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel, East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and the Martins Ferry Elks.