Fourth-grader wins Richmond spelling bee by taking down a giant

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A 4th-grader from J.B. Fisher Elementary School came out on top in the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Divisionwide Spelling Bee, with his final word proving that this kid's spelling skills could take down a giant.

The spelling bee took place the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 4, with 8News' own Deanna Allbrittin taking part as the competition's "pronouncer." It included the 25 students who won their respective schools' spelling bees.

Declan Rogers, a 7th-grader from Richmond Virtual Academy, placed third -- while Curtis Ready, a 3rd-grader from Mary Munford Elementary, took home second.

The first-place winner and RPS' newest Spelling Bee Champion was Nikola Markovich-Mitov.

RPS Divisonwide Spelling Bee winners. From left to right: Declan Rogers of Richmond Virtual Academy, Curtis Ready of Mary Munford Elementary and Nikola Markovich-Mitov of J.B. Fischer Elementary. (Photo: Deanna Allbrittin/8News)

After correctly spelling the word "bowsprit", Markovich-Mitov was given a chance to clench the championship by spelling 'Goliath.'

He asked for it to be used in a sentence -- then confidently stepped up to the mic and won the spelling bee.

RPS Divisonwide Spelling Bee Champion Nikola Markovich-Mitov of J.B. Fischer Elementary with school leaders. (Photo: Deanna Allbrittin/8News)

RPS Divisonwide Spelling Bee Champion Nikola Markovich-Mitov of J.B. Fischer Elementary with his parents. (Photo: Deanna Allbrittin/8News)

RPS Divisonwide Spelling Bee Champion Nikola Markovich-Mitov of J.B. Fischer Elementary with 8News anchor Deanna Allbrittin. (Photo: 8News)

Markovich-Mitov will go on to represent Richmond Public Schools in the Central Virginia regionwide spelling bee.