The Script for Scripps

Last Friday night, we watched the Scripps National Spelling Bee and remained   absolutely spell-bound for 90 minutes!

The young spellers who competed this year, ranging in age from 8 to 15, impressed us on so many levels:

* 273 spellers worked hard and followed their dreams to Washington DC

* 10 finalists competed successfully for 7 rounds to make it to the finals

* the final 10 spelled impossibly difficult words, on stage, before a live audience and network cameras, with poise and precision

* as each (but the last competitor) tripped over a word, misspelling it, and heard the “ding” of the bell signaling the end of the competition for them, they accepted “defeat” with style, grace, and gratitude

And that’s what impressed us most . . . each of the young spellers we saw enjoyed the journey even if they didn’t go home with the trophy.

They reveled in having the opportunity to do something they love (s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g) while meeting and hanging out with others of like interest.

In my dictionary, that attitude of gratitude makes them all winners!

Quote:  Attitude, not aptitude, determines altitude.