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1/20/2018 8 Comments

me and the (spelling) bees*

Spelling bees and I go way back. Even in kindergarten, I represented my grade in the school spelling bee (Though we do not speak of this, because even though I memorized the entire list, I was so excited to have gotten an easy word, that I rushed and proudly said, "Jazz, J-A-Z, jazz... Wait!"). Luckily, I had another 365 days to think about it, and plenty of 5-year-old rage to fuel my next spelling endeavor. And thus began my spelling bee career. Fast-forward to middle school, I was the last fifth grader standing, placed third the next year, and won the bee in seventh grade, getting the chance to compete in the central Texas regional bee!

I'd never been to the regional competition before, and I was over the moon at the possibility to advance to the next level of speller-ly glory and other"word"ly wisdom. And I did go strong for a large chunk of it. But after a solid 3 hours of spelling, my brain was fried. I was out for saying "G" when I meant "J" in Meiji. Frustratingly, I had the correct spelling in my head. There were only four other spellers left at that point. After that, I was determined to get another shot at regionals after getting so close.

This year was my last Scripps spelling bee. Even though I spent the majority of the night before playing Jimi Hendrix on my electric guitar, I was serious about doing well. I'd studied the list all through break (and reviewed a few of the words I already knew, so as not to repeat kindergarten history). I felt the standard jitters spelling in front of the whole school, and had a few close-calls with words I'd been mispronouncing in my studies, but the first leg of the spelling bee went pretty smoothly.

When it was down to myself and two others, the announcer went off the word list. After a few rounds, the sixth-grader was eliminated, and I got nailed with an unfamiliar word (tamara, only I thought the announcer was saying "tomorrow" in a Brooklyn accent). My classmate won, and I placed second. My initial frustration for adding another "r" was pretty much squeezed out of me by a series of bear hugs from my parents who'd come to support me, and from a throng of my buddies who were waiting to congratulate me as soon as I left the stage. Honestly, I was happy to come home to a celebratory tres leches cake. Thank you, Scripps spelling bee, for fun times-- and for giving me the opportunity to learn more words than I could possibly use in my novel.

Cheers,
Lorena K. 

*Title is a nod to the amazing CEO of Me and The Bees Lemonade, Mikaila U, my boss/bestie.
8 Comments
Chief Worker Bee (CEO Dad)
1/22/2018 07:26:55 pm

I smiled from start ro finish. So many tales to tell. A regular Huck Finn. I look forward to the novel with bated breath.

Keep up the awesome work!

Reply
MARYJANE TORRES
1/22/2018 10:28:56 pm

ITS BEEN great ATTENDING ALL UR SPELLING BEES! U KEPT US ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS! NOW ONTO GREATER THINGS! UR AMAZING!!!!!

Reply
Audrey Koppel
1/23/2018 06:06:04 am

Dear Lorena,
What can I say about my pride in all you accomplish. Having a beautiful, fun loving granddaughter who can spell has been the highlight of my life. You created a word for me the day you were born.The word was GRANDMA. You gave me that name and I will cherish it (and you) forever. I have all the letters you wrote to me and know they will be worth a lot of money when you become a famous author. (I would never sell them.) Love and kisses from your virtically challenged , Brooklyn accented Grandma.

Reply
Queen Bee (Mikaila)
1/23/2018 07:08:18 am

Awww!
You still did an amazing job though! I coulden't have spelled half of the words on the spelling bee. :)
PS: Thx for the shoutout! (it's so cute)

Reply
Me. Sally
1/23/2018 07:37:13 am

Lorena,
Congratulations! One of life’s secrets is “half the battle is showing up” and you have every time. Be proud, spelling bees are not a small feat. Make sure to invite me to your book signing. Rock on!

Reply
sharmin A Khan
1/23/2018 09:50:14 am

Lorena, You always amaze me! I could say I am proud of you, but I think that would be an underestimation! You are one heck of a girl! Love to be a part of your writing world!

Reply
Lorena K,
1/28/2018 05:31:48 pm

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words... and for being awesome. (Of course!)

Reply
Daniela
2/5/2018 05:53:46 pm

I 👍 your story

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    About me

    I am 15 years old, and started my first novel when I was 9, in response to a lack of smart female protagonists, interesting plots, and high-quality writing in the middle-grade genre. I have published an article in Writer’s Digest, “From YA to YEAH: 4 Ways to Keep Teen & Young Adult Readers Hooked,” and am featured in both The New Yorker and LitHub in cartoons by Bob Eckstein. I'm now working to get my debut fantasy, The Shadow in Her Pocket, published. When I’m not writing, I’m a sophomore in high school and a rock musician.

Thanks for supporting me in my writing! Keep in touch!


lorenawesome123@gmail.com
www.LorenaKoppel.com
@Ren_Koppel