Regional Spelling Bee

After hours upon hours of studying and coaching by Papa, Rebekah (age 12) and Esther (11) competed in the Regional Spelling Bee today, along with 45 other 4th-8th grade spellers from North Idaho. It's neat to watch the bee, because every year, there is more competition, and more spellers who have really been studying, as was VERY evident this year...

Esther did a fantastic job, and made it to the 3rd round, missing the word 'ambivalent' with an 'o'.

After 4 hours and 40 grueling rounds (making a record by 15 rounds), Rebekah took 2nd place (runner up) on the word "prosciutto", spelling it "proschuitto", which is an "Italian ham cured by drying and typically served in very thin slices" The winner, an 8th grader-Sarah-Jessica Sedy won on the word "keeshond" which is "a dog of a Dutch breed with long thick gray hair resembling a large Pomeranian".

Sarah and Rebekah were the only 2 contestants left after the 26th round, which shows how tough the competition was and how much studying both girls put into the studying, spelling words like "asthmogenic", "balalaika", "rejoneador", "bobbejaan", "verboten", "trepak", "embarcadero", "kielbasa", "ingenue", "comandante", "tanha", "fantoccini", and "tchotchke".

In a way, it is a bit of relief for us that Kiekah didn't go to Nationals this year, because of our already busy Spring schedule, and all the even more intense studying she'd be doing in the next two months. Also, this is Sarah's last year, and Rebekah has 2 more years, so all in all, it was a blessing in disguise. Praise God for His infinite Wisdom!!!

And, as Rebekah said: "I hope to make it (to Nationals) next year, and (not going) gives me more time to study the National Spelling Bee material, so I can hopefully make it past the Written Test next year!"

We just happened to be down town when the St Patrick's Day parade came by, and so we were able to watch it all pass. We have never experienced it before, and so it was a lot of fun. Leading the Parade was of course the regular Police escort, then a Firefighter Band (in kilts to boot!! ;p), and then a large assortment of dogs (and their owners), Equine 4H'ers all decked out in Green, different campaigning items, trucks, BMX Racers, a Fire Engine, and a collie herding sheep, etc!!! What fun!

Many people don't really know what the real origins of St. Patrick's Day is, but it was made in celebration of a man who loved and served the Lord, helped others, and was a missionary to Ireland, defying the Catholic church back home....to read more about Patrick, click here.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

~ Second Timothy 4:7 ~

Rebekah's Going to Nationals!!!

Yesterday, after 3 grueling hours of competition with 45 other spellers, Rebekah won the North Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, on the word 'bezoar', after spelling the word 'inselberg' correctly.

My dad wrote the following to his family:

Mom and Dad and our family spent yesterday morning at the local college for the annual state spelling bee.  Rebekah, our 11 year old 5th grader was competing against about 50 other spellers from around North Idaho, and the competition was stiff, as they set a new record in the amount of rounds they had to endure. 

Finally, in the 21st round, the final two were Rebekah and a 7th grade private school boy.   He misspelled "inselberg", and Rebekah couldn't remember if the correct spelling included "el" or "ol", so she told the Press in her interview that she prayed to God to help her, and the reporter said "then it must have worked, because you won!"  Now we have to decide who will be going back to Washington D.C. with her for the national competition at the end of May.  Rebekah probably worked harder than anyone else towards this goal, and typing 75 wpm has certainly helped her.

 Last week, the Coeur d'Alene Press interviewed both Rebekah & Esther. That article can be found here. (Esther did well for her first year out, but got out in the 4th round, on the word 'castanets'.)

This morning, the Cd'A Press came out with another article. We wish they would have included what Rebekah said about 'praying to God to help her', but they didn't...

The National Spelling Bee will be held May 29th-June 4th, in Washington DC.

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

~ Jeremiah 17:10 ~

Going to the Regional Spelling Bee!!

This morning, Samuel, Rebekah, & Esther participated in the NIHEA Homeschool Spelling Bee.

The Results??

Samuel (7th grade) came in 3rd place by misspelling the word 'mirage', & won a $25 cash prize.
Rebekah won the 5th grade division, by spelling the word 'luncheon' correctly, & won a $100 cash prize.
Esther won the 4th grade division, by spelling the word 'salute' correctly, & also won a $100 cash prize.

Therefore, Rebekah & Esther will be going on to the Regional Spelling Bee at Schuler Auditorium, on March 19th, 2011.

Homeschool Winners:
8th: Caleb Stedman
7th: Andrew Stedman
6th: Kiara Selby
5th: Rebekah Pinkerton
4th: Esther Pinkerton