Katelyn Umholtz | The Valdosta Daily TimesBurnis Williams, a Valdosta Early College Academy student, won the 2019 District Spelling Bee with the word 'albatross.'

VALDOSTA — Spell albatross.

It’s a large seabird mainly found around the coasts of the Southern Ocean and North Pacific. Its origins are Arabic’s al-ghattas and Portuguese’s alcatraz, both types of birds.

“A-L-B-A-T-R-O-S-S,” said Burnis Williams, an eighth grader from Valdosta Early College Academy.

That word won Williams a first-place trophy and a certificate announcing him the winner of the 2019 Valdosta City Schools District Spelling Bee Friday morning in the Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center.

It also awards him the chance to compete Feb. 23 in the Region 9 Spelling Bee at the Jones Wheat Elementary School in Bainbridge.

For word-lover Williams, a spelling bee win is exactly what he came to do and he said he is excited to continue to the next round.

“Words are so diverse,” Williams said. “Sometimes there’s a million different ways to get them right, and you learn from the ones you spell wrong.”

His mother, Bernetha Williams, was there to cheer him on. He has always loved writing and reading, she said.

He has even taken it upon himself to start writing his own book, “The Hands of Time”

“He can do anything he puts his mind to,” Bernetha Williams said. “We’re looking forward to him soaring, and we’re especially looking forward to Bainbridge.”

Williams competed against 26 other kids, third through eighth grade, from nine elementary and middle schools in the district.

In second place was Charles Agbali, a student at Valdosta Middle School. His brother, Vincent Agbali, who is also a VMS student, followed behind him in third place.

They served the spelling bee participants and their families food and beverages following the event.

Dr. Jessica Graves, the City Schools K-12 director of English language arts curriculum, hosted the event with the goal in mind to show the importance of reading and writing well.

“We recognize the critical need for students to read and write effectively to be able to pursue infinite possibilities,” Graves said. “Through our district spelling bee, we celebrate the success of students in spelling as this represents a key dimension of effective reading and writing.”

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.