Many of you have wondered if I take any pleasure in ringing the bell at the judges' table during the Marion County Spelling Bee, sponsored by IUPUI, Kroger and the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. The answer is absolutely not.For the fourth year in a row, I have volunteered as a judge on behalf of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. The photo above is taken from my vantage point at the judges' table. Look at these nervous, yet determined faces! How could I possibly take pleasure in disqualifying them for spelling a word wrong when they've studied so hard and take the competition so seriously.
Of the 40 participants, Regina Solomito, a homeschooled 8th-grader, won this year's Bee with the word "uitlander". I was so proud of all these outstanding young people. Regina will be representing Marion County, Indiana in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. on June 1 and 2. Good luck Regina!
