Marblehead spelling champ heading back to D.C.

LYNN – Two years ago, Daniel Rosenberg put in his first appearance at The Daily Item Regional Spelling Bee and spelled his way to an all expense paid trip to Washington for the Scripps National Spelling Bee and this year he did it again.After missing out on the bee last year Rosenberg, now a seventh grader, came back and bested 19 of his peers spelling his final two words, “divulge” and “binoculars” without hesitation, and pumping his fists when he realized he spelled his way to the top.He then turned and shook hands with his peers and congratulated them on jobs well done.And it was a job well done by all because while there were only 20 contestants this year, it was a battle to the finish.Click here to see a photo gallery from the Spelling Bee.Rosenberg and four other contestants, Amber Born a fourth grader from the Born Family Home School in Marblehead, Kristen Foaksman, an eighth grader from Swampscott Middle School and Nicholas Lenardis from the Belmonte Middle School in Saugus went nine rounds without a mistake.Finally Lenardis was bested by the word “minaret” and Foaksman by “jaundice” leaving Born and Rosenberg to duke it out.In the 20th round, Born misspelled “exhort” and Rosenberg hung tough.When asked how it felt to come back for a second time and win, Rosenberg smiled broadly.”It felt better than the first time but I didn’t think it was a given,” he said. “I studied a lot.”Rosenberg said he knew his win would take perseverance, “because there is always good competition here.”Rosenberg said there were two moments during the event where he thought for sure he would lose.”First when they said we’d be using words not in ‘Spell It,'” he said referring to the official study word guide, “and when I got the word ‘extrinsic.’ I’d never heard that word.”Foaksman stopped by on her way out and congratulated Rosenberg for a second time telling him he truly deserved his win. Her parents were just as generous, telling him how well he carried himself and wishing him luck in his trip to Washington.Rosenberg said he isn’t sure how he will prepare for the big bee in Washington.”I don’t have a plan because I didn’t think I’d win,” he said with a laugh.But he is looking up some old friends to see if he might have some company there.Daneil’s father, Michael Rosenberg, said his son made some good friends during his first trip to Washington and he’s been checking the list of contestants to see if any of them will be returning.He also said he was quite proud of his son.”I think he worked very hard and tonight was his night,” he said.