The first speller has stepped to the microphone at the 84th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland.

Twelve-year-old Kevin Lazenby of Opelika, Ala., correctly spelled "dolorifuge" (doh-LOHR-uh-fyooj) to begin the second round of the competition Wednesday morning.

There are 275 spellers from across the United States and around the world competing to advance to Thursday's semifinals, followed by the finals Thursday night broadcast in primetime on network television.

The winner will get more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects that second round began, not the third round.)