Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

NEGAUNEE -- The Upper Peninsula's brightest young spellers competed for the championship on Wednesday.

It was the Upper Peninsula Spelling Bee finals at Negaunee High School as 56 students from across Upper Michigan in grades fifth through eighth competed against each other.

The finalists with one from each grade competed this afternoon. After correctly spelling both 'maxim' and 'effigy,' this year's winner was eighth grader Shannon Nulf from Hancock.

"I had no idea I could make it this far," said Nulf. "I was surprised to even make it past the first part, so it's just insane."

Later this year, Shannon will receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C., where she will represent Upper Michigan in the National Spelling Bee.