The 2010 National Spelling Bee provides some nail biting tension in this otherwise serene household. Sadly, Vanya Shivashankar, eight years old and the youngest entrant, did not qualify for the semifinals. Her big sister, last year’s champion, advanced to the nationals twice before finally winning the title on her third try. There’s time for Vanya to improve.
Andrew Grose, an eighth grader making his second appearance and the local favorite in Madison, advanced to the semifinals. We’ll be cheering him on today.
Semifinals start 10am EDT (broadcast live on ESPN), finals at 7pm EDT (live on ABC).
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[For more on the youngest contestant and her family, read Ben Paynter’s, Why Are Indian Kids So Good at Spelling, a look at the roots of Indian-American dominance in the Bee, in Slate this week.]
Andy’ father Greg is a local urologist and good friend so I’ve followed this story with some interest and excitement.
Frank, I sent the following note to Andy’s dad:
Deer Greg and Jennifer,
You must be reely prud of yer sun! I got too frends in Madison who saw him on televishon and they thowt he was a reel smady pance. And coming from Sheboygan that’s almost unbeleevable! He made us all prud.
But there is one thing. How did he ever miss that last eezy wurd a-g-u-i-n-a-l-d-o? Everybody nows it’s an island an I think I went thare wonce. Oh well. Buy the whey, I used to be a purdy good speller in my day. So if Andrew ever needs any help studying up…let me no. Don
I hope Andrew’s disappointment is tempered by the pride he should feel simply for having made it to DC. Hard to believe that a kid raised on brats and beer could be so bright!
I’ll bet his parents are really proud too.