The National Spelling Bee was understandably canceled. But if the organizers don’t change course, the eighth-graders who spent hundreds of hours in training will be out of luck
Ding. When the bell rang after I misspelled tettigoniid, I was heartbroken. After 15 grueling rounds of spelling, broadcast nationally in prime time, one letter vanquished me. The eight remaining contestants were crowned co-champions. I was declared runner-up. My mom asked if I wanted to train another full year until the next bee. I said yes. I wanted to try one last time. Now, my resolve to win has been replaced by profound disappointment.
Covid-19 has changed everyone’s lives. Health concerns and tragedies are headlines. Kids attend school remotely. Until recently, I was, like other eighth-grade spellers, at home studying constantly, preparing for my final chance at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Scripps ended that dream when it cancelled 2020’s Bee and denied eighth-graders an extension of eligibility.
Related: How to build a spelling bee champion
Simone Kaplan is an eighth grader who was last year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee runner-up after finishing 10th in 2018. Scott Remer is the author of Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripps National Bee and a spelling bee tutor who is Simone’s coach.
