Brett Kuprowicz, an incoming freshman at Bridgeport High School, represented Belmont County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee last week, spelling his word in the preliminary round of competition correctly but missing an answer in the definition portion of the competition.

Spelling under number 174, he took the stage Tuesday afternoon and, in Round Two, correctly spelled “muktuk,” an Aleut word for whale skin used as food; however, he missed the definition for “declamatory,” which is: “Characterized by rhetorical display.”

As a result, he was eliminated Tuesday, but he still made his family, friends, school and community proud.

As one of only 243 spellers from across the country and beyond who qualified for Scripps, Kuprowicz, 14, worked hard to prepare for the contest. Then he traveled to Washington, D.C., with his mother Jessica, father Noah and sister Hannah during Memorial Day weekend to participate. Their trip was made possible by Belmont County Spelling Bee sponsors 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.

Brett and the Kuprowiz family said they saw some impressive sights and enjoyed meeting other spellers at the Memorial Day picnic at Nationals Park. Throughout the week they were also able to visit attractions such as the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, in addition to participating in other bee-related events and activities.

Ultimately, Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, captured the Scripps title on Thursday.

Congratulations to Brett, to Zaki and to all the participants. You are all winners.

And thanks to all of the sponsors who made the Kuprowicz family’s trip possible.