I knew about spelling bee as I knew about ranches of Texas and Bush senior, by word of mouth, nothing more. But when I saw the movie titled Spellbound, which is more of a documentary covering eight kids participating in US National Spelling Bee contest for 2003 than a movie story, I was thrilled! Spelling Bee contest has all necessary ingredients to be thrilling – it is very tough, it requires lot of hard work, it requires lot of luck, hopes of thousands of families are dependent on it, and you never know what will happen in next round!
For the beginner, let me take the pleasure of elaboration. Spelling bee competition is an annual national level contest in USA where students of class eighth or less and age sixteen or less participate to choose one champion among about nine million contestants. Held in various levels of school, county, state and finally national; champion must correctly spell all words given to him/her until no more competitor remains against him/her. After multiple screenings of knockout rounds at sub-national level 249 children are invited to Washington D.C. to participate in two-day national contest. Prize at stake is officially $10,000, plus numerous other sponsored prizes, and national level media publicity.
Imagine the stress on little kids who have been preparing for year or two among 250 other contestants. A single wrong spelling will throw them out for one more year, assuming they still satisfy age and grade criteria to compete next year again! The movie introduces eight kids from various states of United States who all have same goal. The motivation, the preparation and the tactics, of course, differ. Couple of dictionaries of thousands pages each and long practices of rehearsal are not an easy task for a grown up, what to mention the children of playing age. Combine with that the need to learn Spanish, German, French and Latin - after all who knows which language the winning word has roots in? Stress during the competition is apparent from the fact most contestant and their families do not (can not) eat whole day!
Participants are given opportunity to seek the definition, sentence use, language of origin, roots and correct pronunciation before they attempt the spelling, but wonders of English does not leave anybody unsurprised - but one! Mingled with hope and skepticism, apprehension and excitement, luck and fate - spelling bee is an memorable experience among participants. No wonder usual reaction is, "I knew all words except what I got." Before I conclude let me note that spelling bee finals and championship are dominated by Indians in US, justifying once again grilling but unmatched education system of India and intellectual powers of Indian. Spelling bee is much more tough competition than JEE however they share common traits - both can give nightmares to participants!!
That is why - "every one wants the last word."