Calhoun Word-Whiz Takes Talents to National Spelling-Bee|5-29-2012

 

A local student is representing northeast Louisiana in a national spelling bee. Calhoun resident, Caleb Miller, is in Maryland to compete with the country’s best.

 

And there’s a big prize for the top speller.

 

Twelve-year-old Caleb Miller  is competing with other top-level spellers from across the country.

 

Caleb says the start of the competition yesterday primed him for the main events, which will take place today and tomorrow.

 

 

“The round one test had some pretty hard words in it. But a lot of them I did know. The round one test was a pretty big portion of the national spelling bee.”

 

And this is one gathering that’s not for the faint of heart.

 

Caleb’s mom, Michelle Miller, says the competition has all the flash of a major-league event.

 

“It’s a big deal. You know, the big screens, the big cameras, the big lights everywhere. But they post those on the screen, those who’ve made the semi-finals – by number – they do not give the scores out. They will email the scores.”

 

No matter what those final scores ultimately look like, Caleb’s 277 competitors could be in for a battle. The Calhoun word-whizz has spent time honing his technique.

 

“The first spelling-bee I ever participated in was the CHA spelling-bee, which is kind of like the school spelling bee. I finished second place.”

 

Rounds two and three go ahead today, with the final rounds taking place Thursday.

 

The top prize is $30,000 cash.