May 9th, 2017

The Big Spelling Bee, organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and sponsored by Invesco Canada, has had some local success stories. Students from our very own Doon Public School participated in a school wide competition before sending 3 from all of our brilliant grade 6’s to London to compete in The Regional competition. Read on to hear a first hand account of their experiences, and stay tuned for the exciting finish!

Isabela

The spelling bee started with class-wide spelling bees, with everyone worrying about the outcome. The whole day I wasn’t nervous until we started. When the words started to be announced I started to think that my chance was small. I could feel that everyone was also nervous and there was great tension in the air.

After several rounds the two class winners were announced and I had made it. Just then, somebody had stated that the teacher read his word wrong and the competition was on again. The next word was legitimately and I was the only one to spell it correctly. I was secured a place in the school-wide competition!

When second place was announced I could only think of the school-wide competition, I was so excited!

Alissa

It was time for the school spelling bee, and only 10 people were there for the competition (2 people from each grade 6 class.) I could see that everybody in the gym was buzzing with excitement but also very worried about what would happen. The other grade 6’s came in with excitement to watch the competition, all of our friends were watching.

We all started to get ready for the words to be announced. The first person went and I was already feeling nauseous. It kept getting closer to me and it was almost my turn. It was the person before me and my heart started to beat faster and faster and the person before me finished so it was my turn.

I finally went and my word was caterpillar and I got it right! So the competition went on and I was in the top three so I had a spot in London!

Akshansh (at Regionals)

I walked into building D [In London] with fear rushing through me. I went to a man at a table, he handed me a name tag with Doon Public school on it. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I walked into the auditorium with high hopes. I walked to the very last row and sat down. I had been calm the whole day, the whole week but when I was there I tried to act calm but I couldn’t, I knew others would notice so I took a few deep breaths and I eventually calmed down. I saw some other kids practicing in the corner, suddenly they called us up to the stage. The adrenaline started rushing through me again. As I was walking to the stage my cousin stopped me and said one thing: Be the word. It was with this advice that I went to the stage. Many things came to mind as I sat in my chair waiting. The first few rounds really flew by, I don’t even remember the words now. Before long, it was down to two people me and Alissa, my final word came Swineherd. “S-W-I-N-E-H” uhoh, how does it end.. “E-R-D,”. I waited for the judge’s response. It felt like a lifetime. “That is correct!” she exclaimed. I had done it! I had gotten the word right! In less than an hour the competition was over. The announcer asked me to come over and he handed us a booklet, it showed us the details. In it, it said that I get to go t0 Washington D.C. for the finals. That day was one of the best days.

Now on to Washington!

We are so proud and excited to have Akshansh attend the National Spelling Bee! It takes place from May 28th through to June 3rd at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre in National Harbour, Maryland. Congratulations to all of our spellers, and good luck in Washington Akshansh!

Thanks as well to our amazing grade 6 team of teachers for their support and initiative with this program. Doon PS is lucky to have you all.

 

The Bee will air live, from near Washington, D.C., on May 31 and June 1!

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