A Gwinnett County teen is slated to represent Georgia in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Officials with the Georgia Association of Educators say 13-year-old Nicholas Poulos, a student at The Wesleyan School in Norcross, beat 19 other competitors Friday at the Georgia Association of Educators State Spelling Bee in Atlanta Friday.

To become state spelling champion after 26 rounds of competition, the teen correctly spelled "fibrinogen" — which is a plasma protein that is produced in the liver.

After his victory, Poulos said he was going to study every word list he can find because he knows the Scripps competition will be more difficult.

Poulos was given a first place trophy, an all-expense paid trip to the national bee in late May, and $1,000.

Tags: education, national spelling bee, georgia spelling bee, spelling bee