This article was written for the April edition of the Community Compass newsletter.
Kromrey Middle School eighth grader Arnav Vempati is excited to represent Wisconsin on the national stage when he competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., at the end of May.
“I had set a goal for myself to go to the national spelling bee after I got out during the state spelling bee last year,” Arnav said. “It is a dream come true to be able to compete this year.”
“This accomplishment is a direct result of his setting a goal, developing a plan, and then working hard every day in order to achieve it,” added Advanced Learning Specialist Maria Nygard. “We couldn’t be prouder!”
Arnav, the first MCPASD student to compete in the national spelling bee, qualified after winning second place in the Badger State Spelling Bee in Madison on March 21. He will compete against nearly 250 students from across the U.S. and other countries at the DAR Constitution Hall in our nation’s capital from May 26-28.
“I am most excited to meet all the other spellers and get a feel for what a national spelling bee is like,” Arnav said.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when a group of nine newspapers joined together to promote literacy, which is one of MCPASD’s top priorities for all students. Spelling bees not only provide a meaningful chance to study etymology and morphology, but also help students develop courage and confidence.
“I am so grateful that our District supports these opportunities,” Nygard said. “They recognize that a spelling bee offers a unique platform for students to shine in the academic arena.”
From local to national levels, spelling bee organizers often share a list of words that students can study ahead of time. Since these are not exhaustive lists of which words students may need to spell during a competition, Arnav said it’s also helpful to study language patterns and stems from different languages.
“These stems can help you a lot, as they are contained within many words,” Arnav said. “If you know the stems, you have a higher chance of spelling words correctly.”
While studying words and language stems are essential elements of preparing for spelling bees, Arnav said future competitors should also remember to enjoy the experience.
“The most important part is to have fun!” Arnav said. “While spelling bees can be stressful, they are also a place where you can meet others that share your interest in words.”