On Thursday, two local students test their spelling skills at the 2008 Regional Spelling Bee at the Minnesota History Center.

Rachelle Smith, a home-schooled student who lives in Prior Lake and Laura Garbe, of Savage, a student at Eagle Ridge Junior High School, will compete for a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Also, Savannah Lim, of Burnsville, a student at Nicollet Junior High School, will compete. Lim was the winner of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District's spelling bee and Garbe was the runner-up.

The winner of the regional bee will travel to Washington, D.C. from May 26 to 30 to attend the national bee.