HARTFORD (AP) — Three students from Connecticut are representing the state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Bridgeport seventh-grader Janelle Newell is the Connecticut Spelling Bee champion. She'll be joined at the national bee by Bethel eighth-grader Roderick Chittem, who finished second in the state contest, and Bloomfield sixth-grader Charles Fennell, who tied for third place in the state bee.

The national bee begins Monday in National Harbor, Md.

Prizes range from a $500 gift card for making it to Round 4 to the first-place prize of $50,000 cash, a National Spelling Bee trophy and other prizes. The final round will be Thursday.

Janelle won the state bee in March by correctly spelling "Spencerian," referring to a handwriting style that became popular in the U.S. in the 19th century.