The Southwest Voice

All > Schools > Panama Buena-Vista District > Warren
Warren Junior High School bee winner heads to D.C.
Topics:
Anonymous user Tue May 29, 2007 11:07:13 PDT
Viewed 282 times
0 responses 0 comments I’ve always enjoyed vocabulary and spelling words that adults often don’t know how to spell. I used to love it when someone asked me how to spell a difficult word and I knew how to spell it.
 I learned the alphabet at a young age –– only 18 months old. I have always liked reading the dictionary. It is fun to learn new words and their definitions. I felt it was a great way to enhance my vocabulary too. When I would hear a word that I didn’t know the meaning of I had to look it up in the dictionary as soon as I got a chance. 
I’ve been in two other spelling bees in addition to this one. I won the school spelling bee in fourth grade when I attended Loudon Elementary School, and also in sixth grade when I attended Van Horn Elementary School. This is my first district win and, of course, my first county win!
I know going to Washington D.C. and being a part of  “Bee Week” will be very exciting. I highly anticipate being able to compete there. The competition May 30 and 31 is going to be tough, I know. I have been studying like crazy to try to prepare myself for this incredible competition. I’ve read much of  Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and wrote down challenging words so that I might retain them to memory.
I have also had a lot of help from my family. They have read words for me to spell. I have studied anywhere from an hour a day up to eight hours a day. After over two months of studying, I have really expanded my vocabulary and extended my knowledge of the formation of words.
When I become an adult, my dream is to be a successful author. I think maybe an author of fiction. That seems like it would be the most fun. I have always gotten good grades in English class throughout my childhood. I often proofread many things for my friends and even for kids I barely know. It feels good knowing how to spell and help them.
Spelling has always come easily to me and I hope now that I’ve honed those skills enough to do well at the National Finals in Washington, D. C.
I didn’t have any idea what was in store for me upon winning the Kern County Spelling Bee. So far I have received a free subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica, a large trophy, a copy of Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, a Russo’s Books gift certificate, a trip to Washington, D. C. and even spending money!
I really appreciate The Bakersfield Californian for their support and sponsorship.
Last week I received in the mail the Scripps National Spelling Bee Commemorative Watch, T-shirts for my entire family and study materials on discs to study on the computer.
Being the winner of the Kern County Spelling Bee gives me great pride. When you receive the support of your friends, family, and even strangers, it feels great! You feel like a celebrity and even more so, you feel like a winner!
— If Johnson makes it to rounds two through four without misspelling a word, he will advance to the May 31 semifinals that will be televised live on ESPN from 7 to 11 a.m. EDT.  The championship finals can be seen on ABC (locally on KERO  channel 23) from 8 to 10 p.m. the same day.

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation