Hawthorne's Standout Speller Heads to State

For the second year running, Hawthorne's Hanz Legaspi, currently a sixth-grader at Hawthorne Middle School, will compete in the state spelling bee.

Hanz, who routinely wins the district's spelling bee, for the last two years has gone on to take Los Angeles County honors, thereby setting up her now multiple trips to Northern California. (The championship is held at Sonoma State University.)

This time around -- the contest is set for this Saturday -- she'll compete against 60 other elementary-aged spellers, representing 32 counties, for awards including $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third.

You go, young Hanz. Good luck!