ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: The ‘Dawn National Spelling Bee’ competition started here on Friday. As many as 350 schools from all over the country are participating in the three-round contest. In the first round students of age group 15-17 from 64 schools of the twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi took part in the contest.

Sehra Ijaz of EMS High School, Islamabad, was declared as the winner of the contest. Maha Kamal of the same institution became first runner-up and Aiza Sadaf of Preparatory School Islamabad, was declared as the second runner-up.

The winner and the runners-up were awarded prizes by the organizing committee of the competition.

In the second round, students of age group 12-14 would participate in the competition on Saturday.

In the third round to be held on Sunday students in the category of 9-11 age group would take part in the championship.

All the local champions would then gather in Lahore on October 2 to participate in the national championship and show their talent.