Michaella Bostrom has been crowned winner of the 5th Japan Times Spelling Bee after besting 37 other students from around the country, booking a ticket to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington on her third try.

※I*m surprised!§ the 14-year-old student at Kakegawa International Christian School in Shizuoka Prefecture said after receiving her trophy Saturday. ※I thought there was a possibility, but didn*t really expect to win. I*m happy.§

※Spelling is my favorite subject,§ the American added.