He was done in by the word cationic. A word very few 11-year-olds know, it means an ion or groups of ions having a positive charge and characteristically moving toward the negative electrode in electrolysis.
But by the time Mamquam Elementary student, Ben Hughes was in regional finals in Vancouver Sunday (March 13) for the first-annual CanSpell National Spelling Bee, he had already correctly spelled over 100 words. A few more rounds would have meant a trip to Ottawa for the national portion of the competition, but Hughes says he has no regrets.
"I thought it would be really scary getting up in front of the mike to spell the words, but I found that really fun."
Sponsored by CanWest MediaWorks, the first CanSpell bee put 100,000 grade 5 to 8 children to the test. Winners from the 11 regions go to Ottawa, and they also represent Canada during the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in May.
Mamquam principal Jeff Larcombe recruited the students for the spelling bee and helped them study the 3,900-word Paideia - a word list and study guide offered to Scripps competitors. Hughes decided to participate because he enjoys language, and he genuinely reveled in learning new words. He also learned a few mnemonic techniques.
"If it's a really long word, I think of how it should be pronounced and hearing all the letters helps me remember."
Hughes finished 11th out of the 50 regional competitors, all of whom were treated to a stay in a nice downtown Vancouver hotel and given medals, t-shirts and hats.
"They were treated really, really well, it was a big deal," said Hughes's mother, Sarah Hart-Vickson.
Hughes says he wants to compete again and encourages all kids to do the same.
"They can all definitely learn from it," he said. And grinning, he adds. "Plus you get to be in the spotlight."
