This week is one of highs and lows for Nicole.
She qualified for the regional spelling bee (held yesterday), she has a solo and ensemble competition on Saturday and Tuesday she will compete in the regional forensics competiton.
So... yesterday was the spelling bee. The girl can spell. No getting around it. I'm not sure if she has a photographic memory, or how she came about it, but she can spell. (she obviously didn't pick up the trade from Jack or I).
I chuckled to myself when we arrived at the bee as she was already on stage with the other competitors. She was front and center with attitude. I'd like to say it was eager to be there attitude, but instead it was slouch in the chair, arms crossed, why am I here attitude. Ha! She smiled when she saw us, so I knew it was all nerves.
She got through the first round where half of the kids were eliminated. Poor kids, some were only in 5th grade! The second round saw only one child eliminiated. Third round came and her local competition was up two kids before her, he misspelled his word and I saw a flicker of a smile cross her face. Finally her time arrives, she steps up to the mic and recieves her word. Atmosphere. A giant smile errupts on her face indicating - not only do I know this word, I am going on to round 4! She promptly says "atom...oh..oops..sorry" and hangs her head. She shuffles off the stage and comes to sit by us. We smile but do our best to ignore the fact that she is on the edge of tears. To acknowledge her defeat would surely cause an erruption of tears. Instead we watch a few more spellers, and she asks to leave.
On the way out we congratulate her for doing so well. She is happy to have it over and wants to celebrate with food. Culvers. Yum. Hugs and happy faces abound.
So - on to the next stress filled event. For three months she has been practicing a flute piece by Tenneman and a piano piece by Bethoven (Fur Elise). She will perform for a judge on Saturday, along with a flute duet, trio and a performance with the Jazz band. This is far more serious to her than the spelling bee. I am sure there will be sharp words for her mother as she releases her stress. This I can take.
And btw yes, I know I mispelled MANY words in this post. It's just to prove a point that she really really didn't get it from me.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The week
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4 comments:
Oh, poor Nicole! I can say, I know exactly how she feels, because the same thing happened to me in the Philadelphia County spelling bee in 1975. My downfall was "corrosive." Due to nerves, I blurted out "c-r-o, I mean, c-o-r..." I know it is no comfort to her, but tell her she is not the only one to have the same experience.
You mean they can't go back and correct themselves if they haven't finished the word (kind of like one's turn in chess not being over until one's hand leaves the chess piece)? How frustrating! I growl on your daughter's behalf. Grr. And hmph. Thank goodness she has such a supportive family to love her up and help her cope with her disappointment. That's worth much more than any trophy. :)
No, Beck they can't go back and correct... Wish we could have re-done the whole thing. =)
Tough luck on the spelling bee...but I bet the flute playing goes better. Tenneman? I think I player Tenneman's Suite in A Minor for a competition on my flute in 9th grade. Best of luck!!
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