YOU SHOULD SEE THE TROPHY CASE
Grade 5 student Hannah May Ramis, 11, from Lumby is the B.C. Canada Spelling Bee champion. She’ll compete at nationals in Toronto on May 6.
Hannah May Ramis, 11, knows how to spell chronometer, scullion and deplorable; however, she missed on baobab, famulus and bipartite.
But — all in all — it was enough for the homeschooled girl from Lumby to become the 2018 B.C. Spelling Bee champion in the junior category. She beat out 38 others in the 10-round competition.
“I practised a lot for this and went in thinking I could win,” Hannah May said. “Luckily, the other finalist also misspelled baobab, famulus and bipartite, so it came down to scullion.”
Ramis spelled it correctly, while Jacob Menke from Campbell River stumbled.
“I can spell it, but I don’t know what scullion means,” admitted Ramis.
The definition is a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks. To clinch the championship, Ramis spelled deplorable correctly. “I know that means completely unacceptable.” Ramis won a big trophy, $500 cash and major bragging rights for her efforts.
If you’re wondering about the definitions of baobab, famulus and bipartite, they are, respectively: a short, thick-trunked, fruit-producing tree; a magician or scholar’s assistant; and, something involving or made by two separate parties.
A chronometer is an instrument for measuring time in all temperatures, humidity and air pressure.
Spelling bee itself isn’t as easy to define. The term has been around since kids have been gathering for spelling contests since at least 1875.
You might think it has something to do with the events being buzzy and named after precise and industrious bees. However, bee in this case is more likely a from the Middle English word bean, meaning to come together to help a neighbour with a task.
As such, there are also quilting bees, corn-husking bees and barn-raising bees.
With the provincial title under her belt, Ramis is now practising like crazy for the 2018 Spelling Bee of Canada national championships being held in Toronto on May 6.
“Besides practising by spelling lots of words, I also read a lot. That helps with your spelling, too,” she said.
As well as being a crack speller, Ramis also loves to draw, is a whiz at computer coding and can play a mean violin.
Ramis does her Grade 5 work through the Ascend Online Catholic School.
Spelling Bee of Canada is run by a Toronto-based charitable organization that encourages youth, parents, teachers and the community to participate in the education process and celebrate academic achievement.