ISLAMABAD: Students from around 130 schools participated in the 12th Dawn in Education Spelling Bee, held in the auditorium of the Islamabad Club on Wednesday.

The four-day event will conclude on Thursday, after competitions in the 15 to 17 age group.

On Wednesday, around 130 schools participated in competitions in the 12 to 14 age group.

The winners from this age group were Mariam Khan Wazir from EMS Girls High School Islamabad, followed by 1st runner up Sameen Khan from Super Nova School Islamabad and Rehal Saeed from the City School capital campus, who was adjudged 2nd runner up.

Competing students were divided into three age groups: 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 17.

A large number of students, parents and teachers attended the spelling bee and cheered on the contestants.

According to spelling bee rules, contestants are given 40 seconds to spell a word, and may ask for the word to be pronounced multiple times or for its meaning within the first 20 seconds.

Students participated in the event enthusiastically.

Musa Salar, from the Cadet College Hassanabdal, said the event was an effective platform for learning. `The spelling bee is an awesome experience, and a very interesting way to improve one`s vocabulary,` he added.

Lawrence College Ghora Gali student Mohammad bin Kashif Mirza also said the competition was a good way to improve vocabulary and boost confidence.