Highlights of the Charlotte Observer Spelling Bee

Akshra Paimagam, 12, a sixth-grader at Randolph Middle School, was crowned the winner of the 61st annual Charlotte Observer Spelling Bee on Monday. The competition was held at ImaginOn’s McColl Family Theatre. Théoden Janes

Here are some highlights:

Why

It was a qualifier for the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee, to be held in late May in Washington, D.C.

How

Among the words Paimagam spelled correctly were kasha, duenna, Pickelhaube and hiatus (for the win).

Huh?

Kasha is a soft food made from cooked buckwheat or similar grain. ... A duenna is an older woman acting as a governess and companion in charge of girls, especially in a Spanish family. ... A Pickelhaube is a spiked helmet worn by German soldiers. ... And a hiatus is a pause or gap in a sequence, series or process.

This story was originally published February 23, 2015 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Highlights of the Charlotte Observer Spelling Bee."