demo_news
03-24-2006, 11:19 PM
Article created: 03/24/2006 8:59 AM PST
Woodland speller advances to nationals
By REBECCA ADLER/Democrat Staff Writer
Woodlander Melissa Roach will be going to Washington, D.C. to compete in a national spelling bee, after winning the regional competition in Elk Grove on Thursday afternoon.
Melissa, a seventh grader at Woodland Christian Middle School, won the competition by correctly spelling "liquescent," a word meaning "to become liquid." A synonym for the word is "melting."
The 13-year-old competed against 26 other students her age from the Northern California region, which extends from Fresno to the Oregon border.
"I was more nervous than I had been at other competitions," she said. "The words were more difficult and I didn't know if I was going to be up against total brainiacs."
Although Melissa said she wasn't sure she was going to do well at the competition, her dad, Tom Roach, said the day she came home with the flier she told him she was going to win.
"She walked in the door and said, 'Dad, I'm going to Washington, D.C.,'" he said. "I knew she was excited but I didn't want her to get her hopes up. I mean, you just don't expect something like this."
In addition to spelling, Melissa also participates in volleyball, basketball and soccer at her school. She also belongs to a travelling softball team known as the Woodland Edge.
Woodland Christian Middle School Principal Becky Surls noted Melissa's sports involvement as part of her continued academic success. She said Melissa is an all-around student deserving of high honors.
"Melissa has the skills to take her a long way in her education and she has the motivation that none of us as educators can give a student," Surls said. "She's also very encouraging to other students and is always helping others to perform at their best."
Surls, who also acted as a judge at the competition, said she was impressed by all of the competitors and the words they were able to spell, with "diphtheria" and "abattoir" being two of the most challenging words she said she heard.
Of 15,000 students worldwide, 46 competitors representing 11 regions will vie for the national title on May 13. The first prize winner will receive a $200 savings bond and a laptop, as well as the honor of placing a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery.
Woodland speller advances to nationals
By REBECCA ADLER/Democrat Staff Writer
Woodlander Melissa Roach will be going to Washington, D.C. to compete in a national spelling bee, after winning the regional competition in Elk Grove on Thursday afternoon.
Melissa, a seventh grader at Woodland Christian Middle School, won the competition by correctly spelling "liquescent," a word meaning "to become liquid." A synonym for the word is "melting."
The 13-year-old competed against 26 other students her age from the Northern California region, which extends from Fresno to the Oregon border.
"I was more nervous than I had been at other competitions," she said. "The words were more difficult and I didn't know if I was going to be up against total brainiacs."
Although Melissa said she wasn't sure she was going to do well at the competition, her dad, Tom Roach, said the day she came home with the flier she told him she was going to win.
"She walked in the door and said, 'Dad, I'm going to Washington, D.C.,'" he said. "I knew she was excited but I didn't want her to get her hopes up. I mean, you just don't expect something like this."
In addition to spelling, Melissa also participates in volleyball, basketball and soccer at her school. She also belongs to a travelling softball team known as the Woodland Edge.
Woodland Christian Middle School Principal Becky Surls noted Melissa's sports involvement as part of her continued academic success. She said Melissa is an all-around student deserving of high honors.
"Melissa has the skills to take her a long way in her education and she has the motivation that none of us as educators can give a student," Surls said. "She's also very encouraging to other students and is always helping others to perform at their best."
Surls, who also acted as a judge at the competition, said she was impressed by all of the competitors and the words they were able to spell, with "diphtheria" and "abattoir" being two of the most challenging words she said she heard.
Of 15,000 students worldwide, 46 competitors representing 11 regions will vie for the national title on May 13. The first prize winner will receive a $200 savings bond and a laptop, as well as the honor of placing a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery.