Local middle schoolers gathered at Rosedale Middle School this morning to compete for the chance to represent their district in the Kern County Spelling Bee.

All nine schools in the district were represented by three students each, and the winner hailed from Freedom Middle School. Her name is Thalia Nguyen, and she'll be competing in March with the ultimate goal in reach: the winner of the county competition qualifies to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

When asked what she's looking forward to at the county bee, Nguyen gave an answer mature beyond her years.

"I want to see how other people do," she said. "I want to see them when they're happy to see how well they did."

The Kern County Spelling Bee will take place on Monday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bakersfield City School District.