News report titled “Written test KOs local speller at nationals” with photo of a crestfallen contestsant continues: “Lancaster County’s top speller survived the first rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, correctly spelling ‘raconteur’ and ‘iridescence’ during the morning and afternoon sessions of the bee.
“But Monica Mede failed to advance to Friday’s semifinal round because her score on a written test taken Wednesday was below the cutoff of 21 of 25 words correct. Monica had only 18 words spelled correctly, missing such doozies as ‘Apollyon,’ ‘isocryme’ and ‘cynophilist.’ ”
WATCHDOG: This father of five ponders whether the newspaper is making too much of a fuss about a local middle school youngster participating in the national spelling contest finals.
The Watchdog cannot recall any other circumstance where a student, let alone an eighth grader, is given so much publicity because he or she is involved in a competition.
If he or she wins locally, it deserves modest recognition, comparable to winning other countywide contests. If they win nationally, it is a story. But otherwise, let’s protect rather than unthinkingly exploit them when they experience a set back.
Can’t recall which school district this young lady attends; but I’m sure it’s not Solanco, Cocalico or Pequea Valley…….LNP has no idea where those schools are located!!!!