She's the town's spelling champ.

Next up is prepping for the Cochise County Spelling Bee, all part of the goal to compete in the E.W. Scripps Co. National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

The sixth grader was one of 14 Walter J. Meyer Elementary students who participated in the town's first entry into the storied spelling bee contest.

A creative and lively girl, Gabby, as her friends call her – "Because I talk a lot" – enjoyed the first round of the competition. "I knew the words from reading," she said. Her winning technique is very visual. "It's like picturing the words in your head to spell it out," she said.

She studied with help from her teachers and her mother, Melinda Escarcega, who said the study packet for the local bee held 250 words.

"She whizzed right through them," said Escarcega, a ninth-grade teacher at Tombstone High. "She's so modest about it. She's like 'Mom, it's no big deal.'"

Tammy Birch, a kindergarten teacher at Walter J. Meyer, coordinated the local bee, and hopes to make it a tradition at the school. "The bee is good experience for the kids," she said. "It gives them self-confidence."

Not many who know Gabby were surprised by her success, which won her and her school a subscription to the online Encyclopedia Britannica.

Her current teacher, Donovan Working, said Gabby is a top student in many areas, particularly in spelling, "even the weird bonus words I toss in, like 'sorghum.'"

Chrystie Devere, who taught Gabby last year, said she is one of the school's top students. "She's artistic like you wouldn't believe," she said.

Gabby has written and illustrated more than 15 of her own books, primarily children's adventure stories on Danny Horse, a fictional character she created. She's penned dozens of short stories and keeps a collection of her drawings on the family computer.

Gabby wants more things done for children her age in Tombstone, such as remodeling the playground, adding more programs (involving acting), and holding contests involving art or singing.

The Cochise bee is set for Feb. 20 at Buena High School in Sierra Vista. The winner there will compete at the state level for the chance to compete in Washington. Gabby admits to being a little nervous.

"There will be a lot more people there that I don't know," she said. "That's the thing that gets me skittish."