Editor’s Notes: Aging out of spelling bees
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Another Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee has come and gone, but this year was the first in which I was involved that I had to watch a few students age out of eligibility. I don't know how teachers do it.
For five years now, I've watched some of the same students qualify for the bee regularly enough that I know their faces when they come to the registration table. I chat with them a little, tell them good luck. But this year was different.
Once I give my introduction on stage to start the event, my real responsibilities at the bee are behind the curtain. I have a station set up back there with ribbons commemorating a student's qualification for the regional bee, suckers, water, etc., and a chair or two where participants can sit for a moment and decompress before they head back out to join their supporters in the audience and watch the rest of the bee.
I try to say something cheerful and encouraging, and for many of the younger students I'll say "No worries! I'll see you next year." When the first long-timer, eighth grader was eliminated and headed backstage, I started to give the "see you next year" line and then realized. Oh. I will not.
So I said "Wow. You're done. What does it feel like to know you don't have to worry about spelling bees anymore?"
And he said, "I don't know whether to cheer or cry."
Phooey. I wasn't ready for that. Again, teachers, you have an emotional fortitude I do not possess, because there I was watching a small crop of kids I spend a grand total of about two hours with, once a year, walk off the stage for the last time and I was getting a little misty.
On the other hand, I have a feeling some of the much younger students will be sticking around for a while. I was impressed by the poise and preparation displayed by those in the youngest grades (fourth and fifth).
They're all impressive, really -- and stand up to some pretty high pressure. This year's final round had me pacing backstage with those who were standing by, waiting to find out where they would place. It was intense.
Some were mumbling along the spelling of words being called out onstage, others were saying "shhh! I want to listen." One was nervously doing a tight little box step with his brow furrowed while he focused on what was going on at the mic. I was chewing on a pen and helplessly saying "anyone need water yet?" every two minutes or so.
But they made it. They stood in front of a theater full of people spelling words like "blatherskite" and "ranunculus," and eventually we sorted out fifth place through our grand prize winner without anyone but me losing composure. These are kids who are ready to do difficult things, and I am glad I get to see them shine.
I don't have to think much about the spelling bee again for a few months, but we'll be cheering on from afar our grand prize winner Henry Corcoran, a Veritas Classical Academy eighth grader who has been in the bee four times now. I hope he gets to unwind with lots of Minecraft before the hard studying begins; but the Scripps National Bee is just around the corner, and I know he'll give that his all. Good luck, Henry!
Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com