NATCHEZ — What a difference a year can make.

After not placing in the district spelling bee in sixth grade, Robert Lewis Magnet School eighth-grader Raven Dent took a year off from the spelling competition.

This year she won at the district level and will compete in the Mississippi Spelling Bee in Jackson on March 15.

“I think before I would always psych myself out,” Dent said. “In the past, I always had problems being confident.”

Dent said she isn’t necessarily going to remember every word and how to spell it, but if she’s confident on stage, it helps to focus and solve the puzzle.

“I like how strategic spelling can be,” she said. “If you know the different word roots and origins you can still spell a word and it’s not a case of just memorizing.”

The interest all started because of a language teacher back in fifth grade — Shawanna Hawkins.

“I had been a good student, she was always recommending books for me to read, and I was always participating in class,” Dent said. “We had spelling tests in her class, and I always liked those.

“She just thought I would enjoy it.”

That year she placed second in the district, which added to the disappointment when she didn’t place in sixth grade.

“It was kind of a loss,” Dent said. “I guess I needed a break, so I did not compete in the seventh grade.”

But she was quick to accept when asked about it this year.

“I don’t like to pass up opportunities like this,” Dent said. “And I had missed it, not competing in it the previous year.”

Dent said her love of learning comes from her parents, Wanda Dent and Reginald Dickens.

“They know a lot about stuff, and it’s always interesting to learn more,” she said. “When they are talking about something I don’t know a lot about, it always makes me want to learn more.”

This eighth-grader isn’t a one-subject student. In fact, science — not language — is her favorite subject.

“Everything in the world has something to do with science,” Dent said. “After we get done with topics in science, I like how it makes me look at the world in a different way.

“Like right now we are learning about genetics. Genes are really cool — they make up you.”

She’s also interested in potentially pursuing a science-based career.

“I really like earth science, space and physics,” she said. “Before, when we had to do a career project, I chose cardiologist.

“I don’t know if I’ll do something in the medical sciences, but I want to do something in the sciences.”

Studying language is still something she enjoys.

“I like how in different languages, some words don’t have a direct translation,” Dent said. “It’s neat how languages have their own nuances.”

Language also plays a part in one of her favorite forms of entertainment — music.

“I was never really musically inclined, like playing an instrument,” Dent said. “But I love to sing. When I get in the car, the radio has to be on.

“I’m just singing all day.”

Dent said whatever happens, she’s looking forward to the state spelling bee in Jackson.

“I plan to get as far as I can go,” she said. “Even if I don’t advance it’ll be OK. Just being there has me really excited.”