An Esperero Canyon Middle School student won the Pima County Spelling Bee.

Jillian Smith won first place by correctly spelling "wilderness." The event, hosted by the Pima County School Superintendent's Office, took place on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd.Β 

Nihal Josyula of BASIS Tucson Primary won second place and Beckett Ott of Cross Middle School, third.Β 

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Education notes are compiled by Star reporter Yoohyun Jung. Contact Yoohyun at 573-4243 or yjung@tucson.com. On Twitter: @yoohyun_jung