Lauren King, a Peasley Middle School eighth grader, won second place in the Virginia Media Spelling Bee that was held and taped on Feb. 15 at the WHRO studio in Norfolk.

The spelling bee was televised by WHRO on Saturday and streamed live on WHRO’s Facebook page. King previously won the Peasley spelling bee to earn her trip to WHRO’s regional competition. Michael Asnicar won the Page Middle School spelling bee and represented his school in the event.

King competed against over 50 other middle school spelling bee champions to earn her second-place finish. First place went to Andrew Hoehn of St. Matthew’s School in Virginia Beach.

The first, second and third place winners received trophies provided by Virginia Media. Hoehn also received travel expenses for a trip to compete in the 2020 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

King, the daughter of James and Heather King of Gloucester, celebrated her second-place win with family and friends at the watch part...