PEARL CITY — Natasha Manuel, an eighth-grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in 'Ewa Beach, last night correctly spelled "perfidy" and "cybernetics" in the final rounds to win the Leeward District Spelling Bee.

Manuel and runner-up Meghan Crowther, a sixth-grader from Holomua Elementary School, will represent the Leeward District in the Hawai'i State Spelling Bee, March 16 at Windward Community College.

Manuel, 13, topped a field of 20 contestants in a competition that lasted 15 rounds.

"It was more difficult than I thought," said Manuel. "I was really nervous, but excited at the same time."

Her parents, Jun and Elaine Manuel of 'Ewa Beach, described themselves as nervous wrecks but were all smiles during the ceremonies following the competition.

"She went to the district spelling bee last year and was third place," Jun Manuel said. "When I was in the fifth grade I came in second in a spelling bee. So she's finally made my dream come true."

Natasha's spelling coach, Laverne Suster, said she never doubted her student's ability.

"I'm ecstatic," Suster said. "I know her caliber of study and excellence. I knew she could do it."

The state winner will get a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 29 and 30.

Here are the district winners so far and the remaining bees: