Jordan Takayama, a Mililani Middle School seventh-grader with interests in space flight, science fiction and computers and tastes for pizza, Spam musubi and hot dogs, will be among the contestants.

He hopes to visit the Smithsonian and to meet John Glenn if he gets to go to the national competition. Glenn's experiences as a war veteran, an astronaut and a senator should make him an interesting conversationalist, Takayama said.

"In all probability," Takayama wrote on his contestant information sheet, "the astronauts heard some classified data. That's all I'll say."

In addition to an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May, the state champ also wins a computer and printer for his or her school.

The winner also gets a $100 U.S. Savings Bond from Jay Sugarman and a Webster's Third New International Dictionary from Merriam-Webster.

A number of other prizes and accommodations from local businesses are distributed to state competitors, and spellers who compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee win cash prizes ranging from $50i$12,000.

Kieran "Gerry" Brughelli, an 8th-grader at Holy Family Catholic Academy who hopes to one day have a graduate degree in political science, run for political office and write a best-selling novel, would like to visit "both chambers of Congress" and hopes to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Because he is a first-term governor who is changing the way political issues are settled in California," Brughelli wrote about the "governator."

Dannielle Bean of Kealakehe Intermediate School on the Big Island aspires to "live day by day to the fullest." She would like to visit the White House if she is chosen to represent the state in Washington, and hopes one day to run across Dwayne Wade.

"He's an awesome athlete from the NBA team Miami Heat," the algebra student, hula dancer and basketball player wrote.

Other contestants include:

• Teagan K.J. Nakamoto of Konawaena Middle School in West Hawai'i, who likes "everything science."
• Jasmine Kaneshiro of Hawaii Baptist Academy, who hopes to travel the world and be elected president.
• Alex Chiya of Stevenson Middle School, whose grandparents know U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye.
• Chaslene Halog of Waimea Canyon School on Kaua'i, whose goal is to be a pediatrician.
• Natasha Abadilla of St. Theresa School on Kaua'i, who wants to meet the president because "he is a good and honest leader of our country."
• Anthony "Alika" Chantavy of Kapolei Middle School, who wants to meet Congressman Ed Case.
• Patrick Comiso of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, who wants to be an astronaut.
• Michaela Tapia of Lokelani Intermediate on Maui, an avid reader and 'ukulele player who lists his sister under "pets at home."
• Estrella Madani, a Moloka'i Intermediate School student council member who enjoys soccer, track and field and shopping.
• Nicole Kim of St. Ann's School, who wants to create comic books or otherwise work as an artist or writer.
• Jonathan Lee of St. Anthony School, who would like to become a teacher or famous professor.

Sponsors for The Honolulu Advertiser's 20th annual Hawai'i State Spelling Bee include Aloha Airlines, AIG Hawai'i, KFC, Burger King, Bank of Hawai'i, 7-Eleven, CompUSA, Island Air, Aston Hotel & Resorts, Sears, Island Heritage, Consolidated Theatres, Enjoy Snacks, Radio Shack, Dede and James Sutherland, the Hawai'i Court Reporters and Captioners Association and the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Rep. Lyla B. Berg, vice chair of the House Education Committee, is the pronouncer. Stephanie Lum, News 8 anchor, is the host.