Maya Rodriguez is a National Correspondent, reporting for all E.W. Scripps television stations across the country. She is based in Washington, D.C., but she travels extensively from coast to coast and around the world for stories of interest.
In the world of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Jacques Bailly is a star. It's his voice that all the competitors hear as they stand on stage, ready to spell their hearts out.
"I am corrected at every turn because first of all, I have right beside me Dr. Sietsema, who used to be the pronunciation editor from Merriam-Webster," Bailly said."If I say anything remotely problematic, I am immediately told, 'Look, stop.' So, it's very, very hard for me to make a mistake." "That's the only word I remember that I ever spelled and that's 'elucubrate,'" he said."And it means to study, basically to study, to burn that midnight oil, sort of."When he's not expertly pronouncing the seemingly unpronounceable, Bailly is a professor of classics at the University of Vermont. He returned to the buzz of the Bee for one main reason.
"My biggest advice for spellers is that you should study really hard and learn as much as you can," Bailly said."Spell it the way you think it should be spelled. Go with your gut and go with a simple spelling because most words in the end are sort of spelled the way they sound."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Antonio 6th grader among 20 Texans to compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee this weekSiyonamithra Kandala, 12, is among 20 Texans competing in this week’s Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Read more »
Longmont 5th grader to compete in 2024 Scripps National Spelling BeeJessica Crawford is a native Texan who is thrilled to live life in the Mile High City.
Read more »
Behind the scenes at the Scripps National Spelling BeeStephanie a political reporter based out of the D. C. , bureau. After spending years on the general assignment beat, she transitioned to focus solely on politics during the 2020 campaign season.
Read more »
Excitement builds as 96th Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks offMaya Rodriguez is a National Correspondent, reporting for all E.W. Scripps television stations across the country. She is based in Washington, D.C., but she travels extensively from coast to coast and around the world for stories of interest.
Read more »
Price teen preps to compete in Scripps National Spelling BeeJohn Franchi is a morning anchor and reporter for 'Good Day Utah' on FOX 13 News.
Read more »
6 Indiana students will compete in the Scripps National Spelling BeeIn total, 245 spellers will take part in the competition, which begins on Tuesday. Six of them will be representing the Hoosier state.
Read more »