A Waynesboro Middle School student's correct spelling of a Japanese word is sending her to Washington to represent Mississippi in the national spelling bee.

Shakeika Everett Tuesday correctly spelled "Banzai," a Japanese word for a greeting, cheer or battle cry to capture the state championship.

The 13-year-old Everett was in competition with 27 other students.

Organizers say besides the all-expense paid trip to the 2008 National Spelling Bee that begins on May 28, Everett also won a $100 savings bond, a dictionary, a year's subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica online student edition and a $20 Amazon.com gift card.

Waynesboro librarian and spelling bee coordinator Amanda Sanderson said Everett is Waynesboro's first state spelling bee champion.