Lionheart Student Advances to Round 2 in GISA Spelling Bee!
jurisprudence... kaleidoscope... pericardium...
I
don't know about you, but I had to use spell check just get those words
correct for this article, and those are just three of the one hundred
ten words Matthew Plunk had to spell in Round 1 of the GISA spelling bee
at Greenfield Hebrew Academy this Thursday! In January, Lionheart held
a school spelling bee to find the qualifier for Round 1, and Matthew
was the winner of this bee, with Carly Tucci as runner-up. Matthew won
with the word "fluoride," but little did he know that the words would
get much, MUCH harder in Round 1 of the GISA bee! After winning that
bee, Matthew received a list of study words and spelling tips in order
to prepare for Round 1, which is the county/system round against
students from 30 other private schools from our North GA area (including
Wesleyan, Pinecrest, Greater Atlanta, Mt. Pisgah).
On
Thursday, February 9, Kathy Sponsler and Matthew traveled to Greenfield
Hebrew Academy for Round 1. This round is a written bee, and since
writing is a challenge for Matthew (it is difficult AND fatiguing), they
accommodate him by having him sit in a separate room with a caller, a
writer and Kathy. While the other students are writing their words,
Matthew is spelling his orally, and someone is writing for him. We are
so grateful for this accommodation, but we also realize that it really
makes this round more difficult!
Only
the top 15 of the 60 participants move on to Round 2. As the
chairperson was explaining this, she said that everyone who
participated should feel very proud, because this group was "very
competitive" and this list of words was "the hardest list I've seen in
the years I've been running this spelling bee" (and the other leaders
concurred).
As
they began calling out the names of the finalists, Matthew sat in the
auditorium with his fingers crossed - on both hands. His mother,
Jennifer, was with him, reassuring him that if he didn't 'make it this
year, he still has two more years. He assured her he would be flexible
no matter what (even though he'd be a little disappointed if he didn't
make it this year). Matthew made it to Round 1 last year, but he did
not advance, so he has been in this position before. To his surprise
and EXTREME delight, his name was the second one called - he made the
top 15 and advances to Round 2! When he heard his name, he exclaimed,
"It's me! It's ME! I made it! MOM! I made it!" as he bounded up the
isle to the front of the auditorium. He truly could not contain his
excitement and jubilation.
Matthew
couldn't wait to return to Lionheart that afternoon and share his good
news. Of course the news preceded his return, and he was greeted with
much enthusiasm and congratulations. When he saw Elizabeth and
Victoria, he hugged them and shared his news with what they define as
"authentic JOY." The confidence and 'healthy' pride that it gave him is
priceless! His teachers and fellow students were genuinely excited and
happy for him... it was beautiful!
