MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison eighth-grader received a heartfelt homecoming on Monday after she nearly spelled her way to victory last week at the Scrips National Spelling Bee.

INTERACTIVE: Virtual Spelling Bee

Isabel Jacobson, 14, returned to see her classmates at O'Keefe Middle School as the third-best in the nation, but judging by her reception, she was No. 1 in the eyes of many of her fellow students, WISC-TV reported.

Jacobson wound up tying for third place in the competition in Washington, D.C. She might not know how to spell the algae "cyanophycean," but her friends at O'Keefe said that they didn't care and they proved it with a celebration for their spelling hero.

She got cake and ice cream, a special song from a classmate and a charm bracelet from her classmates that read "To our No. 1 speller."

The teen's class, school and state all held their breath last week as she meticulously worked her way into the national finals ultimately tying for third. She faced off against 286 spelling bee competitors on a large stage and numerous cameras. However, the teen maintained her poise, dissecting word after word, letter by letter as many back home held their breath, WISC-TV reported.

During Monday's reception, Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton also thanked Jacobson for her performance on behalf of the state and her principal labeled her a confident and "classy competitor." The shy, overwhelmed girl thanked everybody for their support.

"I really, I didn't expect to do well and I'm really, really happy," she said.

Fellow eighth-grader Marcell Giles said that Jacobson's success has inspired him to become a better speller.

"I think it's pretty special because she (is) the only one from our school that went way up to Washington, D.C., to spell, so that's pretty cool I think," he said.

Another classmate, Riley Moore, wrote a song in Jacobson's honor.

The girl was clearly appreciative of all the support -- past and present. She said that for her, making it to the finals was her goal. After she did that, she said that she wasn't nervous because she considered all the rest just a bonus.

"I was just so excited to try and do as well as I could and I seriously didn't care if I got out," she said.

Jacobson's parents are writers and she said that she wants to be one. It's a field where her talent will come in handy.