Restless days and sleepless nights: Spelling bee takes toll

CP38424456
FILE - In this June 1, 2017 file photo, Shourav Dasari, 14, from Spring, Texas, correctly spells his word during the finals of the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md. This year’s super-sized bee, starting Tuesday, May 29, 2018 has three full days of spelling because Scripps allowed wild cards into the field for the first time. How the 516 competitors manage stress could play a bigger role than ever in who wins.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

WASHINGTON – The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a test of brain power, but it can also take a physical toll.

The spellers who spend a week competing at a convention centre outside Washington often don’t get much sleep. They don’t get exercise, either, and their meal times are erratic. All that can affect their performance.

Some former spellers say they have missed words in the finals because they were tired, hungry or otherwise not at their best physically.

Managing the stress of the week could be even more important this year because the bee is super-sized. Scripps allowed wild cards into the field for the first time, which means the bee will have three full days of spelling. There are 516 spellers in the bee.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

iNFOTEL

Related Articles