Scripps Spelling Bee

After a long day of errands, studying, and drivng I decided to sit down and watch the Scripps Spelling Bee that I DVRed over Memorial Day Weekend. The annual event was televised by ABC and actually gets some ratings. I find it ho-hum that these kids can spell as well as they do but amused at the way they do it. Wthout fail they all ask for the word to be used in a sentence, the form of the word, alternate pronunctiations, and origins. After asking this, they again want it in a sentence or ask other questions. Then they spell it and get all happy when they get it right.

While the ability to spell is amazing in today's modern world of spell check, it would be even more amazing if the kids knew the meaning of the words they can spell. The spelling bee is a memorization contest. Oddly enough, the commentators make claims that some are more experienced or are favored to win it all. How can someone be more experienced? The words change every time. It does not matter how many times you have been in the finals before, the next time is a completely different game. Also, favored to win? Do they follow the contestants around and see their study routines or something? How does one pick a favorite in the spelling bee?

The kids also look like social misfits. The kids look like they spend their entire lives reading a dictionary. This is as cool as they will ever be! They get to be on TV, interviewed between rounds about how they feel and their approach. "What was going through your mind as you were trying to spell ommateal (of, relating to, or having compound eyes, adjective)?" Answer "I was trying to remember the letters of the alphabet."

Why does the bee have an age limit? Is an adult expected to know how to spell words like boulangere (cooked with sliced onions in a casserole, adjectve)? Doubtful. I would love to see an adult bee or one with the definitions as well!