Pacelli Catholic Schools seventh-grader Shenali DeSilva is following her older brother’s footsteps in the spelling bee and is on her way to the regional spelling finals.

Shenali was one of 76 students to compete Tuesday in two regional spelling bees held at the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. Students from 38 districts throughout southeast Minnesota advanced to compete in the Regional competitions coordinated by the Southeast Service Cooperative.

The top 12 spellers (six from each spelling bee) now advance to the final spelling bee at 9 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Southeast Service Cooperative. The grand champion of the final bee will advance to the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., from May 24.

Shenali’s older brother, Shane, advanced to the Scripps bee in D.C. last year. He was not eligible to compete this year.

Students advancing to the Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee:

First place: Christine Farnberg, Rochester Catholic Schools, eighth grade

Second place: Teresa Nowakowski, Rochester Catholic Schools, eighth grade

Third place: Shenali DeSilva, Pacelli Catholic Schools, seventh grade

Fourth place: Greta Hillesheim, Bethlehem Academy, seventh grade

Fifth place: Zack Kromminga, Dover-Eyota Public Schools, seventh grade

Sixth place: Amelia Solum, Spring Grove Public Schools, seventh grade

Alternate 1: Kjersten Peterson, Lanesboro Public Schools, eighth grade

Alternate 2: Ethan Rollie, Kingsland Public Schools, eighth grade

Regional Spelling Bee at 1 p.m.

First place: Benjamin Lee, Byron Public Schools, seventh grade

Second place: Jonathan Wiese, Northfield Public Schools, eighth grade

Third place: Madeline Hansen, Pine Island Public Schools, sixth grade

Fourth place: Brynn Karstens, Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools, eighth grade

Fifth place: Brandon Rolandson, Byron Public Schools, seventh grade

Sixth place: Ryan Krumholz, St. Mary’s Owatonna, seventh grade

Alternate 1: Phu Tran, Red Wing Public Schools, seventh grade

Alternate 2: Mia Ikeda, Rochester Schaeffer Academy, seventh grade