My time competing in the Scripps Bee program gave me a challenging (but fun!) goal toward which to work during my middle school years. The dedication and study methods that I developed for the Bee proved essential for later endeavors in high school, and even now, in college. My encounter with the study of etymologies also sparked my lasting interest in language, and ultimately led to my majoring in Linguistics. So the Bee truly can "bee" a life-changing experience!