With 12 of Nikolaevsk's top spellers -- one from each classroom -- vying for the opportunity to go to state, the school competition eventually narrowed down to the sister and brother duo of Kilina and her brother Blake, an eighth-grade student. During round 15, Blake stumbled on "easel" and Kilina pushed ahead with a correct spelling of "hustle."

Kilina Klaich

This is the second year Kilina has represented Nikolaevsk in the Alaska State Spelling Bee sponsored by the Anchorage Daily News. The competition will be held at the Center for the performing Arts in Anchorage March 4.