The Italian word

Regatta.

Well, there were 9 students tonight. Two of them 5th graders this time and the other 7 were middle school kids. These 9 students arrived after 42 schools in the county competed at their own school level, then moved to the district competition, then the regionals and finally, these top 9 spellers in the entire county were sitting up on stage. After a quick google search, it turns out there are well over 100 schools in our County!

Wow.

So, there they sat. The top 9 spellers. Only 3 would move to the suburban spelling bee which is the step right before the national spelling bee in Washington DC.



The first round was tough. Indeed, it took out 4 spellers. Little cee was one of those who'd be going home with tears.

Round 1

ecclectic - spelled wrong
belladonna
pentathalon - spelled wrong
affinity
incredulous
flotilla
nemesis -- spelled wrong
dungaree
regatta --- spelled wrong

But, I get ahead of myself. Before the actual competition, there was much pre-Bee celebrations, with award plaques going to each of the 9 for making it this far, this level so close to national.... The top 3 tonight would receive big prizes, and the other 6 of us, recieved $100 awards as well as our name in the Chicago Tribune, Tee shirts, and the plaque.

What an evening! The winner was the girl 6th from the left. So, next year is another Bee. I hope she'll participate again!