Students Get Ready for the Big Spelldown

Kenny Rood will be haunted by casseroles for years to come.

The 13-year-old Santiago Middle School student knew that the dish likely was spelled with an “e” in the middle, but he was thrown off by the pronunciation and spelled it with an extra “a.”

He was not the only one felled by a familiar word this week during the first spelling bee hosted by the Orange Unified School District in 10 years. It took less than an hour and fewer than 62 words before 20 students were narrowed down to two.

“I had every other word right,” Rood said after the contest. “I can’t believe I went out on ‘casserole.’ ”

Whether they were defeated by “puny,” “statuesque” or “regime,” all the competitive spellers were roundly applauded by a roomful of supportive parents.

The winner, 12-year-old Michael Soh from El Rancho Middle School, and runner-up Michelle Worden, 13, of Cerro Villa Middle School, knocked out by “precipice,” will go on to a countywide spelling bee Saturday at the Orange County Department of Education.

The winner of the county event will move on to competitions that lead to the national bee in Washington in May.

The revival of the spelling bee is a specific goal of the Orange district’s trustees, who take a back-to-basics approach to education. Administrators said the contests also give an overlooked group of students a chance to shine.

“These kids are readers, and we are encouraging all kids to read,” Trustee Maureen Aschoff said. “We pay so much attention to athletics.”

Students said they have studied word lists to put themselves in top form. Some experts say that the best spellers also may have a natural gift: It just seems to come easier to them.

“The only thing that marks the winners from those who do not win is those who are natural spellers and those who memorize,” said Sharon Nelson, program manager of the county bee.

For those who do not participate in sports, academic competitions like spelling bees validate their commitment to writing and reading, grammar and language arts, Nelson said. The contest also tests their mettle in a public arena.

“Students want to succeed,” she said. “These are students who really go after it. If they are not into athletics and they have a competitive edge and want to succeed, you’ll see them in these events.”

Semifinalists in the county bee will start their oral contest at 1:30 p.m. at the county Department of Education, 200 Kalmus Drive, Building A, Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 966-4316.