Diamond Bar Student Makes it Past Opening Spelling Bee Round

Students from schools in Diamond Bar, Tarzana, and Huntington Beach correctly spelled their words in today's second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md.

Justin K. Chuang, a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Chaparral Middle School in Diamond Bar, spelled Italianate, meaning Italian in quality, appearance or character.

Nickan Fayyazi, a 12-year-old seventh-grader at Portola Highly Gifted Magnet Center in Tarzana, spelled firth, a narrow inlet or arm of the sea.

Sam Nitz, a 13-year-old seventh-grader at The Pegasus School in Huntington Beach, spelled ullage, a noun meaning filling up to the brim.

One more round will be held today at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, with a correct answer worth three points.

The first round -- a 50-word computer spelling test, with 25 words counting toward the scores -- was held Tuesday, with each correct answer worth one point.

The test scores will be combined with the second- and third-round results to determine the participants in Thursday's semifinals.

Nickan said his best subject is math, his favorite sport is skiing, but he also enjoys snowboarding and tennis, speaks French and Farsi, aspires to be an engineer and has a cat named Bijou.

Justin has published a book, "The Marrksyrian War," programs web pages, is vice president of his school's journalism club, likes to draw, is first-chair cello in his school orchestra, speaks Chinese and aspires to a career in genetic engineering.

"He is truly a special kid," Chaparral Middle School Principal Ron Thibodeaux told City News Service.

"He's a standout in so many different ways, from being a very strong musician to one of the best math students we've had in quite some time to being a great speller. It's a testament to his hard work and ability to really focus on things."

Justin "has an expansive vocabulary" and reads a lot, Thibodeaux said.

Sam said he enjoys chemistry, succulent and carnivorous plant gardening and is involved in swimming and Boy Scouts.

You may also watch the event live on espn3.com this afternoon.