It was high drama and significantly difficult. It was the Super Bowl of spelling. And Sameer Mishra was brilliant:

“…The 13-year-old from West Lafayette, Ind., who often had the audience laughing with his one-line commentaries was all business when he aced “guerdon”—a word that appropriately means “something that one has earned or gained”—to win the 81st version of the bee Friday night.”

link: Indiana boy spells ‘guerdon’ to win national bee

Just to be part of this competition is a high achievement. The kids are amazing. It must take so much ability and sheer work to reach this level of excellence. The Scripps National Spelling Bee really showcases the future. Kudos to Sameer Mishra and all the competitors.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/