It’s been one of those hectic weeks (they all are!) so I thought I’d post a vintage photo of myself from 1989. I was 13 years old and in the 8th grade. I had won my school spelling bee, which resulted in me taking this picture with all the town’s school winners. I don’t remember taking this picture at all!
But I vividly remember going to Regionals and placing 11th out of hundreds of kids. I was extremely disappointed to learn that all of the words that we would be asked to spell came from an official National Spelling Bee book. No one told me what to expect, much less prepare me for the competition. I presumed that we would randomly be given words straight out of a dictionary and there was no way I would be able to memorize the dictionary, so why bother? I didn’t prepare at all. Had I studied correctly, I am certain I would have made it in the Top 5, certainly Top 10 since I was one away…with zero prep.
The word I misspelled was ‘caliginous.’ I spelled it “colleginous.” I think it was pretty ‘genius’ of me to get close. So close! I was very bummed.
I seriously have dreams of Franco competing in the National Spelling Bee.
Finally, if you haven’t seen it, the movie Spellbound about a bunch of genius kids competing in the National Spelling Bee is one of my favorite documentaries. It’s hilarious and gripping and totally wild.
Love the throwback photo and I got my money on Franco for sure now 😉
You look the same! Well done, Catherine. I have so much difficulty spelling out loud – I need to write the word down. Not surprisingly, I’ve never won a spelling bee. My kids haven’t either – it’s not in the jeans. <<<<<that was on purpose!
You’re a cutie! I can see what Franco might look like in 12 years or so.
I’ve never been in a spelling bee, but, what fun it would be for my kids to do it.
Yep you look exactly the same. I love documentaries. I’m sure it would probably be on Netflix so I’ll check it out. Czechoslovakia is the biggest/complicated word I ever spelled. I don’t know what daddy taught me that in particular. It may have been to show to his friends or something to tell me to spell it.
I love the throwback photo. Interesting that 7 of the school winners were girls. Do kids still take spelling tests? Or do they just rely on spell-check?
I haven’t seen Spellbound but will do so soon! Is it on Netflix or Amazon Prime? Wow love throwbacks! I was 2 years old in 1989 Lol. Look at you, quite the smart whiz huh!? 11th place with no prep is OUTSTANDING though!! Congrats 🙂 I’m sure Franco will take on after his momma genes! Take Care Catherine -Iva