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NEW DETAILS OF THE 2008 SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE

(Click here for 2008 Canwest Canspell Spelling Bee)

Scripps National Spelling Bee 2008

Welcome to our Scripps report, See our exclusive interviews below!
Dr. Jacques Bailly: Word Pronouncer; 1980 Champion
Sameer Mishra: 2008 National Champion
Sidhar Harth:  Runner Up
Tia Thomas:  Third place
Matthew Evans:  Five Time Participant
Cody Wang: Four Time Canadian contender

Getting Tom Bergeron's autograph
Tom Bergeron

We are still updating, full report to come, so check back soon...  If you're wondering how Hamilton did officially, Veronica is tied for 25th.  That means she beat over 200 other spellers in the USA, and other countries.  Her preliminary score was 24 out of 28 for her written & oral combined, and the cut-off score was 20.
Here are some featured media links:

90 Advance to the Quarter Finals: National Post
45 Advance to Semi Finals: Sports Illustrated
12 Advance to Finals: USA Today
Last 7 Canadians knocked out: Macleans
Worlds Top Spellers: BBC Video

Team Canada

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Thank you the the Canwest staff for a great time!

Rick Fenton Richard Landry Diane McCarthy
Rick Fenton Richard Landry Diane McCarthy

Collene Ferguson

Lynne Munro

April Andreosso
Collene Ferguson Lynne Munro April Andreosso

May 25, 2008
I woke up.  We got a limo ride to the Toronto airport. We had an okay ride.   Better than the shuttle for the same price.  We arrived at the hotel, registered and bought souvenirs.  We swam, and then we hot-tubbed.

  The Capitol Washington Monument

May 26, 2008
We woke up at 7:00, and went for breakfast. I had a fried egg, quiche, & bacon, etc.    We toured the city and went to a lot of memorials, like the Lincoln Memorial(Where I found a penny), the World War 2 memorial, & the Korean War memorial..  Lunch was a banana, an apple, and a Nutri-Grain.  It was Memorial Day,but I didn't get to see the parade.

Memorial Day ceremony Memorial Day Parade

When we returned, Me and Mom studied and then I did the round one test.I thought I got 4-8 wrong.In other words,I was pretty sure I would make it to the Quarterfinals.
Dinner was cheese sticks, 1/2 a pogo, hamburger,and other finger foods.  I got people to sign my Beekeeper,a book for the spellers to sign and answer one fun fact. We went back to the hotel and swam and hot-tubbed. I showered and changed then I went on Skype chat.

Touring Washington
Lincoln Memorial
The World War 2 memorial The Washington Monument


The White House Me and Logan Turner

White House ProtestsWhite House ProtestsWhite House Protest

White House protestWhite House protest
Anthony the Tour Guide

Tour Guide Tonysecurity cameraWhite House security

Rolling ThunderMemorial Day ParadeMemorial Day Parade

May 27, 2008
We woke up at 10:00 and went to Turkey Run Park for a BBQ, and I made a mask, a visor and a necklace.  It was a delicious BBQ. 

Lady from Spain on tightrope(Signora Bella) Jessica Zung

While I was there a turkey chased me at the Colonial farm,which had a cabin-thing and two boys farming tobacco.  At the BBQ I had 1/2 a veggie burger, potato salad and chicken. (Mom took the chicken, then threw it at me.)  The bus was our most frequent transportation this day.

Me standing next to the colonial farm sign turkey chasing me Me going to the colonial farm
one of the boys at the Colonial farm

We went to the Canadian Embassy.  We had pictures taken.  The ambassador asked someone to spell a word and I put my hand up.  The word was conchology.  I started spelling the word and he interrupted me and asked someone else to give it a try, so I said, "I'm spelling the word!"  I spelled it correctly and when I put my hand up for the next word he said he wasn't going to call on me again.  We got a gift bag from the Embassy.   I had two cookies there.

Canadian Ambassador Canadian Embassy View from the Canadian Embassy

We went to Filomena's for dinner.  I had 1/2 of chicken kiev and stuffed mushroom.  It was huge even though it was only a half!  Mom had the other half. We went back to the hotel and freshened up.

The Annapolitan 2Captain Dean

Osprey nestThe sign for the Naval Academy

  The ice rink/parade square A sign in the Naval Academy cafeteria
Recovered torpedo from Japan
James Earl Jones resting place

May 28, 2008
We went on a tour of Annapolis, and the U.S. Naval academy.  In the afternoon there was a Scripps general assembly, and then the Canadians went to Tony Cheng's for dinner.

USNA Church USNA Church Organ Pipes

Annapolis Mid-shipman

Naval Academy

Streets of Anapolis State house

May 29, 2008 -Quarter Finals
We woke up at 6:30 am.,  since they started the Round 2 at 7:45a.m. dressed in cords, and Kids Run the Ticats day t-shirt. Then I went downstairs and did my word (gosling), which I got correct.  Then we studied and then they announced the quarter finalists.  I was one of them.  I got 21 out of 25 on my written test.

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From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.,  I spelled my words right in rounds 3 & 4.  I got sericeous and paleethnology.  That made me in the top 45 and I move on!  I am the youngest competitor!  Dinner was pie, chicken, and clam chowder.  I went back and showered, then talked to the kids on Skype.  I got a Polly and Lila girl from Mom.  Then I did my journal and studied.

Last minute studyingQuarter FinalsQuarter final audience

May 30, 2008 -Semi Finals
I woke up at 8:18.  Mom slept until 9:00.  I studied until 9:00.  Then we went to the bee.  I got out on my word etagere.  I stayed to watch the rest of the bee, and spelled on my paper along with the spellers on stage.  I got Tom Bergeron's autograph.

Media seatingA chance to relaxSemi Finals

The 7 Canadian incorrect words

Then we went to our hotel and ordered a turkey sandwich (for me) and a light club sandwich (for Mom).  I ate my sandwich and some day-old soup.  Then (during eating) we Skyped the kids.  Then we walked over to the Air & Space Museum.  I was parched and sweating when we got back, so I drank a whole bottle of water and had a COLD shower.  Then we Skyped the kids again and then went down to dinner.  I had a burger, fettuccine Alfredo, 2 cheese sticks, quesadillas and a make-your-own sundae. 

I also found out I was featured in a lot of American and Canadian papers.  I have this style of covering my eyes when I am thinking, and it seemed to be that it made for interesting pictures and articles.  I was even on the front cover of the Washington Times, in colour!

Finals
We went over to the Grand Hyatt and started watching the bee Finals LIVE. Sameer Mishra won.  I interviewed
Dr. Jacques Bailly, Word Pronouncer; 1980 Champion; Sameer Mishra, 2008 National Champion; Sidhar Harth, Runner Up; Tia Thomas, Third placeMatthew Evans, Five Time Participant; and Cody Wang, Four Time Canadian contender.  We went upstairs, showered, swam, then ate a bowl of fruit and went to bed.

Canadians watch finals Canadians watch finals
Canadians watch finalsCanadians watch finalsCanadians watch finals

May 31, 2008
We woke up at 10:50 a.m. and went downstairs and tried to eat our omelette sandwiches.   Then we walked over to the Spy Museum.  It was fun.  I had lobster for lunch.  Then we bought a ton of souvenirs.  Then we went to the Awards Banquet.   I ate salad, chicken, and a bombe of chocolate mousse and a really thin almond cookie on top.

Colour partyBanquetFinals table

Interviewing the championDancing afterwardsAnother grade 4 speller

Bee Keeper signingSpeller from Alaska,speller#1Dancing afterwards

June 1, 2008
We woke up and went to Cosi's and bought orange juice and a fruit cup, and a coffee for mom. Then we went to the Washington airport and I had a Filet-O-Fish and a small fries.   We flew away to the Montreal airport, then home!!!!  Wendy drove us home, then we had pizza and partied until 12:00 and gave out souvenirs.

An interview with: Dr. Jacques Bailly, Word Pronouncer, and 1980 Scripps National Champion. Dr. Jacques Bailly
Veronica: How can a speller determine a "ph" from a "th" sound?
Dr. Bailly: You have to know the word.  You're all in the same boat, so you just have to know the word.

V: Do you plan to enter your children in the spelling bee?
Dr. B: No, I'm not planning on it.

V: Do you know how much you were Googled yesterday?
Dr. B: What? Oh, no, how many?

V: 40 hits on my website alone. (all spelled his name wrong)
Dr. B: You have your own website? Oh, that's good.
V: Do you tend to have favourites each year?
Dr. B: No, I do like some, but I can't be sure who will win, no.
V: Any special advice for a little kid?
Dr. B: You have to know words, know origins and meanings, and the definition is more important than the word.

An interview with: Sameer Mishra, Champion 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Veronica: What did you use to study?
Sameer: My stuff and Webster's 3rd
V: Is your sister here?

S: Yes, she's behind you.
V: Is she jealous?
S: No, my winning is too much effort.

V: Is the studying worth it?
S: Most definitely.

V: What will you do with your money?
S: Not sure yet.

V: When did you start thinking you would win?
S: I had no clue I was getting close, even when I was in the top three spellers.

V: What's your plan for a future career?
S: Neurosurgeon.
Sameer Mishra

An interview with: Sidharth Chand, 2nd Place Winner

V: Why aren't you getting signatures?
S: I lost my book and there are no bee keepers left.
V: Are you coming back next year.
S: I don't know, I'm not sure.

V: You mean because of the long and winding road?
S: Yes.
Veronica: How do you prepare for spelling bees?
S: Read everything.

V: How are you going to spend your money?
S: I don't know.
V: Do you think you would have won if you were homeschooled?
S: They go farther, but no. 

V: Do you think homeschoolers have an unfair advantage?
S: No, Regulations keep it fair.
V: What are your future career plans?
S: I don't know, there are so many options.
Sidharth Chand

An interview with: Tia Thomas 3rd Place Winner

Veronica: How much have you made in your 5 years?
Tia: $3,425.
V: Do you think you would have done better if you had been in public school?
T: No.
V: Is all the studying worth it?
T: Yes, it's worth it.

V: What are you going to do with your money?
T: Save it for college.
V: How far did you think you would go?
T:  I didn't expect 3rd, I wanted 1st.
V: Are you disappointed that you never won or do you feel a sense of accomplishment ?
T: Disappointed.  I do feel accomplishment.
V: Do you root for other homeschoolers?
T: Yes.

V: Will you stay in touch with Matthew Evans?
T: Yes, we will talk about the Vocabulary Challenge.
T: Why do you cover your eyes?

V: It helps me think better.
T: Why are you interviewing me?
V: For my website.
Tia Thomas

An interview with: Matthew Evans; Five Time Scripps Participant

Veronica: You did very well, do you feel like a winner?
Matthew: Yes, but I'm disappointed.
V: Did you feel like this was your year?
M: There were a lot of good spellers, with equal chances, and luck.
V: What advice would you give to someone trying to come back next year like me?
M: Work really hard, it's the only way to win.
V: What is in your career future?
M: Pastor.

V: How much money have you won altogether?
M: $3,400.
V: Do you favour homeschoolers?

M: No
V: Do you think homeschoolers do better?
M: Yes, they can also get other school work done faster.
V: What did you do with your money?
M: I saved it for college.
Matthew Evans

An interview with: Cody Wang; 4 time participant from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and runner up in Canspell 2008

Veronica: How do you prepare for spelling bees?
Cody: Same as a lot of people.  Nat's Notes.

V: What do you think about homeschoolers? Do you think it's unfair about homeschoolers? Are you homeschooled?
C: Well, Veronica did better than me so... it's not unfair, it doesn't matter to me; no, I go to public school.
V: Is the studying worth it?
C: Definitely, studying is needed.
V: How are going to spend your money? How much money do you have?
C: Probably a laptop. No idea, maybe $1,500.
V: How far did you think you would go?
C: Past the finals.
V: What do you want to be when you grow up?
C: Surgeon.
Cody Wang

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Scripps Loving Cup
Maybe next time...


NEWS

There are many links to featured articles and photos on my style in the 2008 Scripps National Bee.  You can just Google my name, and Yahoo Photos, but I have included a few links here:

BBC Video: World's Top Spellers

CBC:  Canadian Broadcasting

Scripps:  Scripps Howard News

Yahoo: Yahoo News Article

YouTube:  Here is a link to me spelling a word in the quarter finals.

 

Carolyn Andrews
Carolyn Andrews

Katie Daubs
Katie Daubs - Reporter

Canadian Ambassador
Canadian Ambassador

Paige Kimble
Paige Kimble

Dr. Brian Sietsema
Dr. Brian Sietsama

George Thampy 2000 National Champion
George Thampy 2000 National Champion

Anthony Pitch
Anthony Pitch

New Zealand speller
Speller from Hamilton, New Zealand

These are the various media interviews:
Media at the Embassy
Embassy interview
Opening my test results
CHCH interview
me on tv
final 6 Canuck girls interview
after quarter finals interview
ABC interview
Web interview
CBC interview
American interview
ABC Web interview

 

Welcome dinner

Filomena's

Tony Cheng's

Room Service

Entering the test room

Getting signatures

The youngest speller,Sriram Hathwar

Washington neighbourhood

 ESPN - ABC broadcastESPN - ABC broadcast

Smithsonian Air  & Space Museum
tn_P5300777.JPG (8033 bytes)

A real spacesuit.





tn_P5300828.JPG (10318 bytes)


Washington





Grand Hyatt

Victoria & I at the Washington Airport
Goodbye fellow spellers. Montreal airport
Hamilton Harbour
Back in Hamilton

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