State spelling bee winner hails from Keesler Published March 23, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISS. -- How do you spell success? J-O-S-E-F J-A-C-K-S-O-N. Thirteen-year-old Josef Jack-son, an eighth grader at St. Patrick High School, out-spelled 30 other students to claim the Mississippi Spelling Bee championship March 9 in Jackson. Josef's parents are Lisa and Col. Jeffrey Jackson, 81st Support Group commander. The Jacksons moved to Keesler eight months ago from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Josef won his school spelling bee and the Harrison County regional contest before clinching the state title after 14 rounds as he faced off with Bailey Bullock of Crystal Springs. Josef missed his first word. Bailey spelled her first one correctly, but misspelled her required second word. Then Josef spelled one right and missed the next. Bailey was back up and missed her word. Finally, Josef spelled "nominative" correctly to win. Now he'll head to Washington, D.C., May 26-28 to compete at the annual Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee. He'll be accompanied by his parents and his brother, Joshuah. When asked how he prepared for the competition, he replied, "I studied a lot, I guess. My dad told me I knew the study list backwards and forewords." Josef credits his mother with keeping him motivated and prepared to compete. "My mom says she thinks I got interested in this type of competition because I was an early reader," Josef explained. "My third grade teacher told me I was a really good speller and that's the first time I was in a spelling bee." The super speller has other activities to keep him occupied until he heads for Washington. He plays the saxophone in the school band and belongs to the National Junior Honor Society. "I'm hoping to be on the swim team next year," he said. "I like to swim, read, play the piano and do ceramics at the arts and crafts center." Josef has "absolutely no idea" what kind of career he'd like to pursue, but science is his favorite subject. "Winning the state bee has been very exciting and fun -- Josef can't wait until the Nationals," his mom added.