For Ryan Schmeichel, the Ellis Middle School spelling bee held Wednesday was significant — in more ways than one.

First, the 10-year-old said his performance was significant because “I’m not used to being in front of people,” he said, nodding to the Ellis Middle School Auditorium stage, where the bee was held.

Secondly, he correctly spelled “significant” to take first place in the fifth grade bee. Separate contests were held for sixth, seventh and eighth, too.

“I’m really proud of myself,” said Ryan. “I really wanted to win. I felt confident.”

Ryan correctly spelled “wonderful,” classical,” “bargain,” “perimeter,” “emperor,” “enumerated,” and “boundary” before “significant” clinched the win.

He also thought he was a kind of natural at spelling.

“I’m just a chatterbox,” he said. “I am around words a lot.”