Two 8th graders and a 7th grader emerged as the finalists. They will represent North and East Texas at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

DALLAS — The 68th Annual Dallas Regional Spelling Bee was held by the Dallas Sports Commission Saturday, which saw the crowning of three finalists.

Each of the finalists, two eighth graders and one seventh grader, will go on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May representing North and East Texas. The National Spelling Bee takes place May 26-28 in National Harbor, Maryland.

The three finalists crowned were eighth grader Avishka Dudala from Lorene Rogers Middle School, eighth grader Krish Manjunath from Coppell Middle School East and seventh grader Benjamin Pearson from Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet School.

These three emerged the finalists out of 27 contestants from 20 counties across North and East Texas. Dudala correctly spelled “resveratrol,” and Manjunath spelled “socius,” which led to both being crowned co-champions.

“It feels incredible,” co-champion Manjunath said in a statement. “I have spent all year studying words, languages, and roots, so winning feels like all that effort finally paid off. I am really grateful for my family, teachers, and everyone who supported me along the way. Looking forward to the National Bee.”

This was the first year the regional competition had Jacques Bailly, the head pronouncer of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, preside over the competition. Bailly won the 1980 National Spelling Bee and is an associate professor of classics at the University of Vermont, known for his expertise in Greek, as well as etymology, ancient languages and Roman philosophy.

“The Dallas Region continues to be recognized as one of the strongest in the country,” Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of all 27 students who competed today. Their dedication to language, learning and literacy is inspiring, and we know our three champions will represent North and East Texas with excellence on the national stage.”

The Dallas Regional Spelling Bee will stream on WFAA+ on May 9. Here’s how to download WFAA+ to your smart TV.