In the Bronx some busy students are putting their spelling skills to the test at an annual event.

Third, fourth and fifth graders took part in the 7th annual S.M.A.R.T.S  Spelling Bee competition Saturday hosted by Senator Luis Sepulveda (D) Bronx. The elementary students prepared for months - first qualifiying as one of the strongest spellers in their class - before moving on to today's contest. The winning student from each grade will walk away with $1000, half of which goes toward a future college education. Students were "nerve-cited" by the competition.

Third grader Harriet Owusu Antwi told NY1 “I was kind of nervous and scared, but it was fun anyways, because I got to do it with my friends.”

Next year Senator Sepúlveda says he's planning to expand the competition to sixth graders.