Monday, June 1, 2009
Kavya casts a spell
Persistence finally paid off for 13-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, the 2009 champion of the 82nd annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. The unassuming teen from Olathe, Kan., has been a three time Top 10 finisher in the contest since 2006 last year, she placed fourth. This year she became the ninth Indian American to win the bee.
Shivashankar was among 11 finalists at the contest that started out with 293 spellers – the largest number in its history. The tension was palpable at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., May 28 when only three contestants remained: Shivashankar, Aishwayra Pastapur of Springfield, Ill., and Tim Ruiter from Reston, Va.
Pastapur, the first of the three to be knocked out, misspelled "menhir" and departed teary eyed. She will receive $7,500 in prize money. Ruiter misspelled "maecenas," but remained calm.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Shivashankar was among 11 finalists at the contest that started out with 293 spellers – the largest number in its history. The tension was palpable at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., May 28 when only three contestants remained: Shivashankar, Aishwayra Pastapur of Springfield, Ill., and Tim Ruiter from Reston, Va.
Pastapur, the first of the three to be knocked out, misspelled "menhir" and departed teary eyed. She will receive $7,500 in prize money. Ruiter misspelled "maecenas," but remained calm.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: contest, finalists, grand hyatt, indian american finalist, kavya shivashankar, National Spelling Bee, prize money, Scripps National Spelling Bee, winners
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Banner year for children in major national competitions
This has been a banner year for Indian American children who began showing their talent at national competitions back in the mid-eighties. This year, they again excelled in major competitions such as the National Spelling Bee and the National Geography Bee. On May 30, 13-year old Sameer Mishra of West Lafayette, Indiana, walked away with $40,000 in cash and prizes when he won the Scripps National Spelling Bee on the word 'guerdon' which appropriately means 'something that one has earned or gained', especially as his victory came after a grueling competition. Thirty five South Asian American students reached the finals, and five of them did their families and communities proud, ending up in the top 10 finishers.
Just ten days before the spelling bee, 11-year old Akshay Rajgopal of Lincoln, Nebraska, won the National Geographic Bee, securing a college fund of $25,000 and other prizes.
Following are the final results of the National Spelling Bee:
Sameer Mishra, 8th Grader at West Lafayette Junior High School, kept up his great sense of humor during the competition. The 13 year old loves to read and is part of his school's book club. Inspired and coached by his sister Shruti, who also participated in the Bee in earlier years, Mishra enjoys playing computer, video and board games, has played the violin for four years in his school orchestra, likes to do what his peers do ride his bike and hang out with his friends. His favorite subjects are science and math.
He participates in contests such as Spell Bowl, Academic Super Bowl and Indiana State School Music Association. He wants to be a neuro surgeon.
To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Just ten days before the spelling bee, 11-year old Akshay Rajgopal of Lincoln, Nebraska, won the National Geographic Bee, securing a college fund of $25,000 and other prizes.
Following are the final results of the National Spelling Bee:
Sameer Mishra, 8th Grader at West Lafayette Junior High School, kept up his great sense of humor during the competition. The 13 year old loves to read and is part of his school's book club. Inspired and coached by his sister Shruti, who also participated in the Bee in earlier years, Mishra enjoys playing computer, video and board games, has played the violin for four years in his school orchestra, likes to do what his peers do ride his bike and hang out with his friends. His favorite subjects are science and math.
He participates in contests such as Spell Bowl, Academic Super Bowl and Indiana State School Music Association. He wants to be a neuro surgeon.
To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: childern, contests, Indian American children, national competitions, National Spelling Bee, participates, Sameer Mishra, science, Scripps National Spelling Bee, talent
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