In recognition of regional spelling bee competitions across the country and in other parts of the world, we are showcasing a few of the local contests. In this fifth week, we are checking in with Idaho, New York, California, Maryland and Missouri. Winners of these events advance to compete in the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: KIVI 6 On Your Side
Liz Jergensen, a seventh-grader from Nampa, Idaho, faced tough competition in the Southwest Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, including the two previous champions. The word battle went 28 rounds until Liz correctly spelled “parsec” for the victory.
Liz credits her voracious reading for her skills at spelling. “It's because I read a lot, like 400 pages a night a lot,” she shared with local TV station KIVI. This is the second year for the event sponsored by Boise State University. Athletes and the school’s mascot were on hand to provide some well-wishes and advice on handling the stress of competition.
Liz already has big plans for her trip to Washington, D.C. “My mom and I are going to go to the Smithsonian and I want to see the exhibit with all the minerals and all the gems because I like sparkles.”
Photo credit: Julie Lewis/The Daily Star
In New York, it’s a three-peat for Melodie Loya, an eighth-grader from Bainbridge. She won in the ninth round when she correctly spelled “lucid.” Melodie demonstrated her experience and calm under pressure as she approached each word by asking the pronouncer several questions. She also kept her focus by drawing each letter on her palm.
Melodie is home-schooled, and her mom helps her prepare for spelling competitions. She is looking forward to reuniting with spelling friends during Bee Week. As a Thursday finalist last year, she was featured prominently in ESPN’s coverage.
Photo credit: SAGE
In California, persistence paid off for the winner of the SAGE Ventura County Spelling Bee. This was 14-year-old Kampton Carter’s fifth and final time competing in the regional event. A total of 127 school spelling bee champions started the day at California Lutheran University with a written spelling test. From there, 29 finalists went on to oral spelling, which lasted 16 rounds. Kampton accurately spelled “malversation” to win the title and advance to Washington, D.C.
This was the 54th year for the local competition and the second year for sponsor SAGE Publications. Mike Soules, a representative for SAGE and emcee of the event said, “Kampton proved herself among stiff competition after a grueling 16 rounds and we couldn’t be more delighted to have her represent us at the National Bee. Congratulations to her and to all the spellers for their hard work!”
Eastern Shore Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: Univ. of Maryland ES
Confidence helped overcome nerves at the 2019 Maryland Eastern Shore Regional Spelling Bee. Austin Loar, a sixth-grader from Salisbury Middle School, said his legs were shaking in anticipation of his championship word. It was “beachhead.” After a slight pause, he said, “I told myself ‘I am able to spell it.’” He did, winning the competition and the trip to compete in the national finals in May.
After winning his school bee, Austin spent up to four hours a week studying spelling and especially words of Slavic origin, which he said are particularly troublesome.
At the Northwest Missouri Regional Spelling Bee, students lasted more than 30 rounds before Natalie Burnett, an eighth-grader from Cathedral of St. Joseph School, earned the title when she correctly spelled “lurid.”
Regional Spelling Bee.
Photo credit: Matt Hoffman/News-Press
This will be Natalie’s second time competing in the national finals. She participated last year through the RSVBee invitational program. This time, her trip is provided by the sponsor, St. Joseph News-Press. In the newspaper’s coverage, Natalie said she studied two to three hours per day in advance of the regional competition.
Since she competed during Bee Week in 2018, she knows what to expect this year and is looking forward to returning. “It’s nice, everyone there is really kind,” Natalie said. “It’s just a fun experience.”
Check back each week as we share more success stories from spellers whose journeys are taking them to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Click on the links below to read the full story on some of this week’s spelling bee recap: