ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — It’s clear that Andrew Williams knows how to spell “s-u-c-c-e-s-s.”

The Robertsdale Elementary School sixth-grade student is the Baldwin County representative to the state spelling bee March 6. Williams earned his place as Baldwin County’s top speller by winning his classroom, school and the county spelling bee.

It takes a lot of work to get this far.

“My goal is to be the state representative for Alabama at the National Spelling Bee,” said Williams. “I get my Dad, Mom and brother to help me figure out how to spell words.”

Williams says that his father, Tom Williams has a dictionary “app” or application on his iPhone that helps him spell unfamiliar words.

Williams gets help from his father who won a spelling bee during his school years, and his brother Ryan, now a senior at Robertsdale High, who went to the county spelling bee when he was in fifth grade. His mother, Sherri Killam-Williams, teaches gifted classes at Baldwin County High and says she too won a spelling bee in high school.

With genes like that, how could Williams lose?

Well, in 2008, Williams was the city champion in Bay Minette and received a proclamation from the city for his achievement. But Killam-Williams says that, then in the fourth-grade, Williams’ “fooling around” may have cost him the state title.

It’s natural for Williams to do a little acting and not be too nervous while on stage. He’s an actor and had a role in the 2006 film, “We Are Marshall,” and has had roles in industrial films. If you have a “Hooked on Phonics” CD, Williams plays the “Lion and Construction Boy.” Ryan Williams is also an actor, and celebrated his 18th birthday on the South Baldwin Community Theatre stage. His roles have ranged from Billy Ray Jr. in “On Golden Pond” to “Rolf” in “The Sound of Music.” He is planning to major in International Studies when he goes to college next year.”

He’s a very good role model for me,” said Andrew Williams.

Thinking about the upcoming state bee, “I think it’s all right to be nervous,” said Williams. “This year, I am going to stay focused. I am going up against the best of the best.”

While Williams is in the sixth grade, and his plans for his future are not set in stone, he does see himself continuing with film and acting, perhaps going to UCLA to study film. He’s not sure, but he thinks now that he might like to direct films.

“Maybe animation and knowing how CGI (Computer-generated imagery) works as well,” said Williams. He lists his favorite movies as the “Star Wars” franchise, so knowing something about CGI will come in handy.

“It was a very great experience to walk on the red carpet at Grauman's Chinese Theatre (during the premiere of “We are Marshall.”),” said Williams .

That’s an experience he hopes to have again. Now, winning the Alabama spelling bee, the n the Scripps-Howard Bee in Washington, D.C. is next. After that, watch out Academy Awards.