National Spelling Bee

[starpianist]

Has anyone on this forum entered the Howard Scripps National Spelling Bee? Someone at my middle school went to the nationals this year after studying for three years. I want to be in the nationals one day too, but I don't have a lot of time before I'm too old to be in the spelling bee. And by the way, the new booklet has changed from Paideia to Spell It!

[pies]

Sounds like a colossal waste of time.

[starpianist]

I guess to some people it may be "a colossal waste of time", but to others, it's a lifetime dream to be be in the nationals. It's good study material for the SAT, too. I wouldn't mind doing better on my PSAT scores. There are also plenty of rewards for all the dedication and time you've spent on anything you become recognized for.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

I think its a great thing to be able to spell and otherwise be fluent in english.

[starpianist]

Thank you.     I think so too. After seeing my PSAT scores, I've decided to participate in the spelling bee! I was thinking that I could use plenty of improvment. 

[pianistimo]

one thing i've learned is that people are just as likely to be disqualified if they forget to say the word, use it in a sentence, and then spell it - and say it again.' 

i think it's kind of funny when you can see a person doesn't know how to spell it - so they barter for time while the parents hand signal the spelling.  usually saying the word really slowly and then asking for the judges to give a hint as to how the word is used. 

[kelly_kelly]

Spelling bees annoy me. I won in my school 2 years ago and went to the regionals. What a waste of time! I hate that it all really depends on where you're standing- I have friends who are as good, if not better, than I am, and they didn't win because they got the more difficult words.

[starpianist]

I've noticed that, too. Sometimes people get lucky with words. Other people that are just as good get difficult words, and sadly, are disqualified. The weakness for me in spelling bees is that I cannot visualize the word after I think I have it. Speaking slowly is sometimes a problem for me. I would do much better in a written spelling bee, more like a spelling test. By the way, I am finally going to watch the movie, Akeelah and the Bee!