Spellers, from left to right, include Kristen Natoney, Lornato Begay, Archelaus Yazzie, Kaelea Curley, Mikaela Tallman, and Michael Andresakis wait for the practice round of the sixth-grade competition during the Navajo Times' Western Navajo Regional Spelling Bee Feb. 11 at the Greyhills Academy High auditorium in Tuba City. Photo by Krista Allen - Navajo Times

Tuba City, AZ— Karin Jones pronounced each spelling word and gave the definition immediately. When asked, she was also able to provide the definition once more, the language of origin, the alternate pronunciation, and the usage of the word in a sentence.

"No. 14, you have an (anticipated championship word)," Jones said as Maria Macaraig, 9, of Tuba City Primary School walked up to the mike. "Chutney, a noun, a condiment that has the consistency of jam and is made of acid fruits with added raisins, dates and onions, and seasoned to taste with spices and vinegar."

"Chutney," Macaraig said. "C-H-U-T-N-E-Y chutney."

"Well done," Jones said as the crowd gave Macaraig a round of applause after correctly spelling the word, which derived from Hindi and Urdu.

Sereena Ahownewa, 10, of Hopi Day School spells a word during the fifth-grade competition during the Navajo Times' Western Navajo Regional Spelling Bee Feb. 11 at the Greyhills Academy High auditorium in Tuba City.

After only four rounds, Macaraig was declared the champion for the fourth-grade competition during the Navajo Times' Western Navajo Regional Spelling Bee on Feb. 11.

Twelve schools – Chilchinbeto Community, Hopi Day School, Hopi Junior/Senior High, Kaibeto Boarding, Kayenta Boarding, Moencopi Day School, Rocky Ridge Boarding, Second Mesa Day School, Shonto Preparatory, Tsinaabaas Habitiin Elementary, Tuba City Boarding, and Tuba City Primary – participated in this year's spelling bee.

Nineteen spellers competed in the fourth-grade competition. Thirteen spellers were eliminated after the first round, in which Levi Decolongon, 9, of Tuba City Primary was eliminated but was put back into the contest after officials learned that he had correctly spelled "gospel."