Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee starts Thursday in Washington, D.C., and children will again do the amazing when it comes to spelling words that are notoriously convulated or convaluted or - %$#%! - really, really tough. Not only is it compelling theater seeing young children do something intellectually challenging (versus playing Wii), it's an apt time for adults to reflect on their own spelling abilities.
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Scripps National Spelling Bee (Hover)
I remember we were encouraged to join this during middle school. We got a word bank to start us off, and we even saw a movie about it. It takes a lot of effort to become a spelling champion, as you have to know all the roots and their origins.
Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., wins the 86th Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word knaidel. Ref. USAToday
Vanya Shivashankar, 13, of Olathe, Kansas, and Gokul Venkatachalam, 14, of Chesterfield, Missouri, were declared co-winners of the National Spelling Bee. It is the second year in a row in which the contest has ended in a tie.
Shivashankar correctly spelled the word "Scherenschnitte" And Venkatachalam correctly spelled the word "Nunatak." The contest was declared a draw because there weren't enough words left on the competition's list for them to keep facing off until only one was left standing.
In this year's national championship, 285 spellers competed for the title. Ref. CNN
Nihar Janga, 11, of Texas, and Jairam Hathwar, 13, of N.Y., tie to win Scripps National Spelling Bee
For the third year in a row, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has ended with co-champions. The bee began Tuesday with 284 contestants. Ref. USAToday.
Ananya Vinay, a 12-year-old from Fresno, California has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winning word was marocain, which is a dress fabric that is made with a warp of silk or rayon and a filling of other yarns. Ref. CNN.