South Callaway R-2's spelling bee champion almost chose to not compete at all, but now she's heading to Columbia in March for the Columbia Daily Tribune Regional Spelling Bee.
"It's kind of ironic because at first I didn't want to participate, and then I was in the top two in (my class)," eighth-grade student Julia Thieret said. "I'm a decent speller, but I didn't expect this."
By the time she reached the final word in the final round, "pterodactyl," the whole school was watching.
"Of course, her back was to the crowd so she couldn't see it, but when she started with a 'p' all the students were looking at each other like 'oh man,'" communication arts teacher and spelling bee coordinator Heather Fees said.
Seventh-grade student Grace Pontius is the school's alternate if Thieret can't attend. "Decrepitude" knocked her out of the school-wide bee in the final round. She's already studying, just in case.
"My parents and I have practice spelling tests," she said.
Thieret and Pontius both agreed the school spelling bee was stressful, at least in the moment. Thieret described it as nerve-wracking.
"I think I'm pretty good under pressure," Pontius said. But by the time the final round rolled around, she was ready for it to be finished.
"It's fun having some of the teachers and students telling you good job," she said.
For Thieret, it won't be over until at least March 7, when the Columbia spelling bee takes place. If she wins in that bee, she'll go on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
South Callaway hasn't yet had a student move on to the Nationals, Fees said.
Thieret has a long couple months of studying ahead - she's already received a thick packet of words from Scripps.
"I want to give a shout out to my friend Owen, who's been so nice and supportive," she said.
Despite the studying and stress, she's ultimately glad she decided to give the bee a try.
"I don't want to say (the best part is) the glory, because it's a spelling bee but the recognition is nice," Thieret said.