This Saturday (March 14th) saw 33 School District students gather at the Library of Virginia for the 2009 Richmond Times Dispatch Regional Spelling Bee.
These elementary and middle school students had to win their respective School District Spelling Bees in order to participate in the Regional Spelling Bee. We attended this year’s Spelling Bee as we knew one of the participants quite well:
Abbie Allison
My daughter Abbie participated in the Bee representing Goochland County. My mother was visiting from Texas and was able to attend the Bee with us and support Abbie. Some friends in Richmond and relatives in Massachussets supported Abbie by watching a live webcast of The Bee via the internet (see link below to a recording of the webcast). Others were there in attendance to cheer her on: her friend Sarah and family, her Middle School Band Instructor-Jay Sykes, her sister Heather and Grandma and Grandpa Barkley. I know that meant a lot to Abbie – thanks!!
Lobby of the Library of Virginia
Abbie tied for 3rd with 4 other participants who also went out in the 5th round leaving only 2 participants to battle it out for the championship. There was a 3rd place trophy but it was not handed out due to the multiple ties.
Abbie in the 1st Round
Abbie came so close to spelling her 5th round word “fructiferous” correctly. She put an “o” where the “e” was. I am pretty sure I would not have spelled it correctly. We are so proud of how well she did in the Bee. She was competing against some school districts that are huge in comparison to Goochland County with only 3 elementary schools and 1 middle school. The winner’s school district, Chesterfield County, in comparison has 38 elementary schools and 14 middle schools. For Abbie to keep pace with the winner was pretty incredible!!!
Congratulations to Michael Whalon of Chesterfield for winning this year’s 2009 Regional Spelling Bee!!
Abbie, we love you and are so proud of you.
Link to recorded webcast of the Bee: 2009 Spelling Bee
Way to go Abbie. Congratulations on making it to the 6th round – especially with such tough competition! We enjoyed watching you on the webcast yesterday. S & D
By: S & D on March 15, 2009
at 9:07 pm
Congratulations Abbie on your excellent showing. You for one will not need the “spell check” feature on the word processor.
And yes I had to check the dictionary to find the word means “bearing fruit”. I am sure you will be back at the regionals and will continue to do well.
Don and Bev
By: Donald Allen on March 15, 2009
at 9:39 pm
Hooray to Abbie! I’m impressed as I am, without a doubt, the world’s worst speller. ;o) Talk about nerves of steel! I would have crumpled in Round One for certain.
P
Thanks for sending me link, this is a wonderful tribute to your GORGEOUS girl.
)
By: Rach on March 16, 2009
at 3:49 pm
Abbie looks so cool and composed up there. We are also so proud of her. Way to go girl!!!
By: Jim on March 17, 2009
at 6:26 pm