CHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago eight grader is one of 12 students to advance to the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington.

Fourteen-year-old Alia Abiad (AH’-bee-ahd) is from Western Springs and is a student at McClure Junior High School. She’ll compete in the Bee’s 87th championship round, which will take place live in prime time on Thursday night.