On February 25, Boston Latin School hosted its annual spelling bee, with Lily Liang (V) moving forward to represent the School at the citywide level.
Since 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition has provided seventh and eighth grade students with an opportunity to develop their interests in vocabulary, etymology and the English language. At BLS, the competition offers students a chance to represent the School at the citywide spelling bee. The winner of the citywide bee will then proceed to nationals, which will take place in Washington D.C. from May 26 to 28.
The competition, which took place in the school auditorium, was intense. As each round passed, the words advanced in difficulty.
After several rounds, Liang earned first place, Dhrithi Chekuri (VI) placed second and Alexander Khan (V) finished third. Liang will represent BLS at the citywide spelling bee, where she will compete against winners from other schools across Boston.
The winning word was “veil,” which according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders and often especially in Eastern countries for the face.”
Liang shares, “When I realized I had won, I felt a blend of disbelief [and] a bit of pride and exhilaration. When the last word was given to me, I recognized it easily and spelled it without hesitation, knowing that I was going to win.”
Preparation for the spelling bee began several weeks prior to competition. Students studied a designated word list by practicing spelling words out loud. Many contestants used strategies such as memorizing common word roots, often rehearsing alongside family members and friends.
Liang explains that her preparation played a major role in her success. She practiced regularly by having family and friends read words aloud to her. If she spelled a word incorrectly, it would be marked so she could review it again later. This system allowed her to focus on the words she found most challenging and, subsequently, improve over time.
Teachers were among those in attendance at the spelling bee. BLS English teacher Mr. Mark Sanford shares, “I think a lot of this comes from practice. It’s pretty amazing to see how talented they are. […] I can’t imagine how much preparation and studying is put into this competition; clearly there’s a huge commitment.”
While winning the spelling bee is a remarkable achievement, many students say the experience itself is just as valuable. Contestants improve their confidence in front of competitors and spectators, while also strengthening their vocabulary. Even learning how to manage the pressure that comes from the competition can prove meaningful for the students.
Last year’s spelling bee winner, Benjamin Ahumada (IV), reflects on his own experience competing, recalling, “You get nervous sometimes; you just have to take a breath and just realize, you’re glad to be here.”