Posted on: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
14 vying to be state's top speller, earn trip to D.C.
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer
| Let spelling begin
The spelling bee at 1 p.m. Sunday will decide the state champ. It takes place at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus and will air at 5 p.m. on KHNL. The winner of the bee competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 31-June 1 in Washington, D.C. Shown are 12 of the 14 contestants, and two coaches.
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Nearly all of the 14 contestants vying for a chance to represent Hawai'i in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., want to meet the president of the United States.
Some want to see George Bush for bragging rights. Others for curiosity.
Thomas Burton, a Lokelani Intermediate School sixth-grader is interested in reading, weather and computers. His goal is to grow up to be a climatologist or tae kwon do master.
Jasmine Kaneshiro, who was last year's state champ, wants to return to the National Spelling Bee. The Hawai'i Baptist Academy eighth-grader says her favorite subject is English.
"I'd like to do something productive with my life," Kaneshiro said. "I'd like to be respected and I'd love to be a scientist, but I hate math."
Two people she'd most like to meet are President Bush and J.K. Rowling, the author of the popular Harry Potter series.
The other contestants, who would like to meet all kinds of folks, include:
Emily Belcher, an eighth-grade student of Emmanuel Lutheran School on Maui, who likes math, spelling and English. She would like to meet chefs Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck.
Sara Dizon, an eighth-grader at Hawai'i Baptist Academy, who likes English and history. She says she wants to meet the president because "in history, I've been learning about government and it fascinates me."
Jordan Komoda, a seventh-grader at Highlands Intermediate likes math and band. "I want to meet the president because he's an important guy."
Aldric Ulep, an eighth-grader at Highlands Intermediate likes math and English. He wants to meet his favorite composers Friedrich Kuhlau and Diane Warren.
Jonathan Lee, a St. Anthony Parish School eighth-grader, likes language arts and math. "I'd like to meet George Bush because he is a strong man that represents our country in an optimistic way."
Emma de Vries, a Le Jardin Academy eighth-grader, who likes studying English, French and art. "I'd like to meet Rupert Grint (the actor who plays Ron in the Harry Potter movies) because he's cute."
Teagan Nakamoto, a Kona Waena Middle School eighth-grader, likes to study science, math and English. "I'd like to meet Brian Greene to discuss string theory."
Katherine Torigoe, a Waiakea Intermediate School sixth-grader, who likes studying math, English and science (in that order). "I'd like to meet the president because he has a lot of strength and knowledge in accepting the criticism of the press."
Joshua Echols, an Our Savior Lutheran School eighth-grader, who likes math, science, social studies, PE and language arts. "I would like to meet Tiger Woods because I love to golf and I think he's a nice guy."
Jim Kevin Bendijo, a Moanalua Middle School eighth-grader, who likes video games and track, didn't say who he'd like to meet but did mention that his favorite food is pies.
Natasha Abadilla, a St. Theresa School eighth-grader, who likes U.S. history. "I'd like to meet God because he made us all."
Chaslene Halog, a Waimea Canyon School eighth-grader who likes English and math. "I'd like to meet Jehovah God because He is our creator."
The spelling bee involves seventh-and eighth-graders from 100 schools vying for 14 finalist spots. Each finalist receives gifts from Sears, Island Heritage, Consolidated Theatres and Enjoy Snacks. Travel for Neighbor Island participants is provided by Aloha Airlines.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Correction: Hawai'i Baptist Academy eighth-graders Jasmine Kaneshiro and Sara Dizon, who are both competing in the Hawai'i State Spelling Bee, are shown here. Their photos were omitted in a previous version of this story. Also, the bee will be broadcast on KFVE at 5 p.m. Sunday. A different station was named.
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