Nejat Alkadir, a13-year-old Ethiopian American, is to compete in this year’s national spelling contest. She is a seventh grade student at Ledford Middle School, Thomasville, North Carolina

Nejat likes to spend her spare time knitting, crocheting and making lanyards. Her parents immigrated from Ethiopia, and at school Nejat herself excels in language arts. She learned how to read at age 3-1/2 and then taught her brother and sister to read. At home, Nejat enjoys watching Korean shows and dramas, and she likes to listen to Korean music from SHINee. Her favorite game is Scattergories, and her favorite food is lasagna. Nejat hopes to someday pursue a career as a pediatrician.

The 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee takes place in the Maryland Ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland from May 30-31. Spelling Bee is Americas largest and longest-running educational promotion programme.

Good luck Nejat, you make all Ethiopians proud!

For details about this year’s National Spelling Bee check here