By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL –
Can you spell "Poliopmyelitis"?
That was the winning word in this year's state spelling bee championship, which was won by Laura Ann Brown. Brown is a home schooled seventh-grader from Etowah County. She outspelled 64 others to win the 77th Alabama Spelling Bee on Saturday, and will represent Alabama at the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington in June.
As the winner of the state bee, Brown received a 100-dollar savings bond, a trophy, and a free trip to Washington, among other gifts.
In case you're wondering -- ``Poliomyelitis'' -- is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus inflammation of the spinal cord.