An unusual Greek word was the downfall of Mikayla Walsh today in the CanWest CanSpell National Spelling Bee in Ottawa.
Mikayla sounded cheerful but a little disappointed after she failed to correctly spell "philippic" for the judges, and was eliminated from the competition.
The word means a fiery speech condemning a politician, and comes from a particularly damning public attack on Philip II of Macedon in 4th Century B.C. Mikayla says she had never heard the word before, and didn't know how to spell it. She missed the double "p" near the end of the word.
She says she was "kind of nervous", and there are a lot of people watching the competition.
"It's a lot of pressure on you when you're up there on the stage with all the people looking at you and all the bright lights. But it's fun. It is fun," she says.
The top speller from St. Mary's Elementary School in St. John's, and the regional champion, Mikayla says she will definitely try again next year.
Newfoundland speller eliminated from national competition
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Published on
April 18, 2008
- Published on July 1, 2010
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CanWest News Service
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Comments
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- Ben
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:44
Don't feel bad Mikalya, most of us adults wouldn't of got that one correct either. You should be proud of yourself.
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- g
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:19
Mikayla; uncle gary, aunt molet, neriza & krystin are very proud of you as are all other newfoundlanders living away from home. you shine kid
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- castaway
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:15
Sometimes, Mikayla, it is not that you win, but rather how you conduct yourself and the sportsmanship you show that *spell* volumes about you.
I am sure you've done your family, teachers and your province proud. All the best to you in next year's competition. -
- Flo
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:52
Hi Ben From St. John's,
wouldn't of got
Of ? Come on !!!!!! -
- CB
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:40
Way to go Mikayla. Thank you for having the courage to represent our province in the national competition. You did wonderful grand! Best of luck to you next year, sweetie.
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- Ben
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:42
Don't feel bad Mikalya, most of us adults wouldn't of got that one correct either. You should be proud of yourself.
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- g
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:10
Mikayla; uncle gary, aunt molet, neriza & krystin are very proud of you as are all other newfoundlanders living away from home. you shine kid
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- castaway
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:03
Sometimes, Mikayla, it is not that you win, but rather how you conduct yourself and the sportsmanship you show that *spell* volumes about you.
I am sure you've done your family, teachers and your province proud. All the best to you in next year's competition. -
- Flo
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:21
Hi Ben From St. John's,
wouldn't of got
Of ? Come on !!!!!! -
- CB
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:05
Way to go Mikayla. Thank you for having the courage to represent our province in the national competition. You did wonderful grand! Best of luck to you next year, sweetie.
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