The Fourth Annual Spelling Bee
For the past four years, the freshmen spoken English teachers have held a spelling bee for their students. The students compete in class, and then the top two spellers from each class advance to the big stage. I haven’t taught the freshmen during this time, and have always had other engagements on the night of the bee. However, quite fortunately, my plans on spelling bee night this year got canceled. I was in for a fun evening of watching students excel and crack under the pressure.
The evening began with Lauren and Anthony laying down the law for the contestants.
Sonny, Seth and Kami were to serve as prompters and judges.
Seth was really excited about his position of synonym supplier.
After giving instructions to the contestants, Anthony moved onto the audience. In addition to requiring that all cell phones be turned off, he gave a vicious warning against cheating.
Or for that matter, any talking or hand gestures at all. The students found these rules quite amusing.
After showing the prizes to be competed for, including a shiny trophy, dinner with the freshmen teachers, and the coveted red envelope (which always means money in China)…
…the competition began.
It was fun to see the different strategies and responses of various competitors.
Some sped off an answer quite rapidly, seemingly giving the word little thought.
Others stood for a long time spelling the words on their hands
or on their arms.
Others asked for definitions, and synonyms, and sentences and for the word to be repeated. Again. And again. And again.
This happened with contestant number one with the very first word. I thought it would be a short night for her.
I had two early favorites whose confidence and ease seemed to foretell victory. But as the numbers dwindled round by round, one was eliminated.
My other favorite made it to the top three. But was the first to go.
It was down to speedy speller boy and eternally deliberating girl. True to form, in the last round eternally deliberating girl hemmed and hawed over the word “defiled” for a good long time. To the surprise of all, though, she eventually nailed the right spelling.
And then speedy speller boy accidentally said “g” instead of “j” (our students get those mixed up quite frequently) in his last word, and it was all over.
The student I never would have picked to win had taken it all. I guess sometimes the tortoise does beat the hare.
Congratulations, freshmen, on all of your hard work!
Wow…I had no idea you were coming back to the states!! I will pray for your transition…as I know good-byes are difficult! ANd hey if you are ever in NY I would love for you to visit and see our sweet Ella 3 years later!! 🙂