The winner of the 88th annual 21WFMJ Regional Spelling Bee plans to use his elimination in the first round of the quarterfinals at the 94th Scripps National Spelling Bee as motivation for next year’s contest.

“I know I should be studying more,” said Christopher Dominick, 13, a Struthers Middle School student.

Getting into the virtual quarterfinals is the highest level Christopher has reached in all of his years competing in spelling bees. He has been competing in spelling bees since the third grade.

Due to the changes that occurred this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, only 13 contestants were in WFMJ’s spelling bee int March. The competition typically averages 50 competitors.

There were 209 contestants who competed in the Scripps Virtual Preliminaries on Saturday. Dominick correctly spelled “piscivorous” and “holophrastic.”

Christopher was one of 74 contestants not only from the United States but internationally to make it from Saturday’s preliminaries to Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

He incorrectly spelled “offertory,” an offering or collection of money made at a religious service.

Christopher is the son of Nick Dominick and Delaney Malley of Struthers and will start eighth grade in the fall.

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