>> GINA: COMING UP THE ENVISION CREDIT UNION'S 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE ON WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

22 OF OUR NORTH FLORIDA AREA'S BEST SPELLERS COME TOGETHER TO COMPETE FOR TODAY'S TITLE.

THE WINNER HEADS TO WASHINGTON D. C. TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME.

THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE.

♪ [APPLAUSE] >> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M GINA JORDAN, HOST OF PUBLIC ADDITION.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE ENVISION CREDIT UNION'S 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THIS WILL SHOWCASE THE TALENTS OF THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS FROM THE BIG BEND AREA OF FLORIDA, VYING FOR THE TITLE OF REGIONAL SPELLING BEE CHAMPION AND THE HONOR OF COMPETING AT THE 2023 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE INCLUDING ESTATE AT THE RESORT OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON DC.

THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN IN A FEW MOMENTS.

AT THIS TIME, ALL COMPETITORS SHOULD BE IN POSITION FOR THE START OF THE COMPETITION.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE OFFICIALS WHO WILL PRESIDE OVER THE COMPETITION.

FIRST, I AM PLEASED TO INTRODUCE OUR PRONOUNS OR, JESSICA MCGREW.

NEXT, MEET OUR HEAD JUDGE IN THE MIDDLE, DOCTOR LAURIE LEE, SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE WITH THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR READING RESEARCH AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY.

DOCTOR GRETCHEN SUNDERMAN IS PROFESSOR OF LINGUISTICS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY.

DOCTOR ZAC SHOWERS IS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT FLORIDA AND M UNIVERSITY, THANK YOU, OFFICIALS.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ANDRE HARRIS, A COMMUNITY DEVELOP AN MANAGER TO COME TO THE STAGE TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

>> ENVISION REPRESENTATIVE: MY NAME IS ANDRE HARRIS.

ON BEHALF OF ENVISION CREDIT UNION AND THE 2023 BIG BEND >> WE KNOW IT TOOK A LOT OF HARD WORK AND STUDY TO GET HERE.

WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT THIS FAR IN THE COMPETITION.

AND VISION WAS STARTED IN 1954 BY TEN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS, WE DEDICATED ALL OUR RESOURCES TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT EDUCATION.

WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU TODAY AND WANT TO SAY WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE DETERMINATION OF OUR SPELLERS AND THEIR SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES WHO WORKED DILIGENTLY THESE PAST FEW MONTHS TO STUDY AND PREPARE FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMPETITION.

IT WASN'T EASY AMID ALL THE UNCERTAINTY OF AN ONGOING PANDEMIC, BUT YOU SET GOALS AND ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS IN THE FACE OF GREAT ADVERSITY AND FOR THAT YOU SHOULD ALL BE COMMENDED.

BECAUSE OF YOUR HARD WORK, THE GREAT AMERICAN TRADITION CONTINUES.

THE FORMAT FOR THE COMPETITION WILL BE A TRADITIONAL SPELL DOWN.

EACH OF THE SPELLERS YOU SEE HERE WILL RECEIVE ONE WORD PER ROUND.

THE REGIONAL SPELLING BE IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND COUNTY SPELLING BEE LEVEL AND SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE.

IT IS USUALLY TIED TO MEMORIZATION OF A LIST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED WORDS.

BEYOND THAT LEVEL, SUCCESS IS ABOUT APPLICATION OF LANGUAGE CONCEPTS AND PATTERNS TO CORRECTLY SPELL ANY ONE OF 470,000 WORDS IN THE OFFICIAL REFERENCE, NEARING WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY.

ALL THE SPELLERS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL RULES, BUT THERE ARE A FEW WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THEM, THE AUDIENCE, AND THE FOLKS AT HOME.

RULES.

ONE, IN COMPETITION AFTER THE PRONOUNS OR GIVES THE SPELLER A WORD, THE SPELLER SHOULD PRONOUNCE THE WORD BEFORE AND AFTER SPELLING IT.

2.

THE SPELLER MAY ASK THE PRONOUNS ARE TO SAY THE WORD AGAIN, DEFINE IT, USE IT IN A SENTENCE, PROVIDE THE PART OF SPEECH, THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN AND PROVIDE AN ALTERNATE PRONUNCIATION OR PRONUNCIATIONS AS LISTED ON THE PRONOUNCER'S WORD LIST.

3, EACH SPELLER WILL RECEIVE THEIR OWN WORD TO SPELL AND WILL NOT BE ASKED TO SPELL THE PREVIOUS WORD.

4.

UPON PROVIDING INCORRECT SPELLING OF A WORD, THE SPELLER IMMEDIATELY DROPS OUT OF THE COMPETITION UNLESS ALL THE SPELLERS IN THE ROUND MISSPELL THE WORD.

5.

IF NONE OF THE SPELLERS IN A SINGLE ROUND ARE ILLUMINATED, ALL SHALL REMAIN IN THE COMPETITION.

6.

ALL SPELLERS ELIMINATED IN THE SAME ROUND ARE TIED FOR THE SAME PLACE.

7.

IF ONLY ONE SPELLER IN AROUND SPELLS CORRECTLY, A NEW, ONE ROUND SPELLING ROUND BEGINS.

IF THE SPELLER SUCCEED IN SPELLING THAT WORD, THE SPELLER IS DECLARED THE CHAMPION.

8.

IF THE SPELLER MISSPELLS THE ANTICIPATED CHAMPIONSHIP WORD, A NEW SPELLING ROUND BEGINS WITH ALL THE SPELLERS FROM THE PREVIOUS ROUND.

ON BEHALF OF ENVISION CREDIT UNION AT WFSU PUBLIC RADIO, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO CELEBRATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THESE FANTASTIC YOUNG SPELLERS.

LET'S BEGIN.

>> WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN ROUND ONE OF THE ENVISION CREDIT UNION 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

FOR THIS FIRST ROUND ONLY, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE AND INTRODUCE YOUR SELF TO THE OFFICIAL AND THE AUDIENCE BY SHARING YOUR NAME AND WHAT SCHOOL YOU ATTEND.

SPELLERS, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE EVENT YOU MISSPELLED DURING EACH ROUND.

ONE OF THE JUDGES WILL RING A BELL.

THEN I WILL PROVIDE THE CORRECT SPELLING AND YOU WILL RETURN TO YOUR SEAT.

AT THE END AROUND, THOSE WHO SPELL THE WORD INCORRECTLY WILL LEAVE THE STAGE TO MEET THEIR FAMILY AND THE AUDIENCE.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE COMPETITION.

IF NO ONE SPELLS THEIR WORD CORRECTLY IN THE ROUND, EVERYONE ON STAGE WILL STAY FOR THE NEXT ROUND.

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE TO SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONE.

RECORDKEEPER, ARE YOU READY?

SPELLER NUMBER ONE, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> MY NAME IS SUMAYYA AHMAD AND I ATTEND PANAMA CITY EVENT SCHOOL.

>> PLEASE REMAIN AT THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS GAB.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>>'S.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM THAT CAN BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS GAB.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING IDLE TALK.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> SELDOM CONSIDERS HIMSELF A BRILLIANT CONVERSATIONALIST AND IS IRKED WHEN HIS ROOMMATE ALLUDES TO HIS GIFT FOR GAB.

>> GAB.

G-A-B.

GAB.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

SPELLER 2.

>> I AM SIMON.

I REPRESENT THE UNIVERSITY ACADEMY.

>> YOUR WORD IS BRICK.

>> DEFINITION.

>> A BUILDING OR PAVING MATERIAL THAT IS MADE BY MOLDING CLAY INTO BLOCKS WHILE MOIST AND HARDENING IT, AND IS ORDINARILY RED IN COLOR DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF IRON COMPOUNDS.

>> REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE.

>> BRICK.

>> BRICK.

B-R-I-C-K.

BREAK.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SPELLER 3.

>> MY NAME IS EVAN HENDERSON.

I'M REPRESENTING RANSOM MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS TRENDY.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> CHLOE BOUGHT HER TRENDY NEW SCARF ON SALE.

>> TRENDY.

T-R-E-N-D-I-N-G. TRENDING.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS T-R-E-N-D-Y.

TRENDY.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS -- >> SPELLER 4.

>> MY NAME IS ISABELLA FRYE AND I AM REPRESENTING FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS BLINK.

IT IS A VERB MEANING TO OPEN AND SHUT THE I REPEATEDLY OR RAPIDLY.

>> BLINK.

B-L-I-N-K. BLINK.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

SPELLER 5.

>> MY NAME IS MIGUEL POPOCA FROM WEST GASTON MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS SHIPPING.

>> SHIPPING.

S-H-I-P-P-I-N-G.

SHIPPING.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS KIPTON WHITTINGTON, AND I ATTEND BELLA HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS WELDING.

IT IS A VERB THAT MEANS UNITING OR CONSOLIDATING METALLIC PARTS BY HEATING TO A PLASTIC OR FLUID STATE, THE PURPOSES OF THE PARTS TO BE JOINED, AND THEN ALLOWING THE METALS TO FLOW TOGETHER.

>> WELDING.

W-E-L-D-I-N-G. WELDING.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS BROOKS BETHEA.

>> YOUR WORD IS HOMESTEADER.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD.

>> HOMESTER.

>> DEFINITION?

>> ONE WHOSE LIKE CENTERS AROUND ONE'S HOUSE OR ACTIVITIES.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> LILLIAN IS A HOMESTER SO THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS WERE NOT AS DIFFICULT FOR HER AS SOME OF HER FRIENDS.

>>HOMESTER.

H-O-M-E-S-T-E-R. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I AM MAE MCNEILL FROM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY.

>> YOUR WORD IS STURDY.

>> PLEASE USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE SALESMAN TOLD ELI'S FAMILY THAT ALL THE BARGAIN VOTES WERE STURDY AND WORTHY OF THE SEA.

>> 30.

S-T-U-R-D-Y.

STURDY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS JD AND I REPRESENT MCCLAY SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS HUSK.

>> CAN I GET THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE OF THE LEAVES ENVELOPING AN EAR OF CORN.

>> HUSK.

H-U-S-K. HUSK.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I AM ASHER BALOG REPRESENTING TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS SAM DO.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> HE SKIMMED EACH >> HAVING THE SAME PARENT.

>> SISTER.

S-I-S-T-E-R.

SISTER.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS ELISE BUCK.

>> YOUR WORD IS GOTCHA.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> AN UNEXPECTED AND USUALLY DISCONCERTING CHALLENGE, REVELATION, OR PROBLEM.

>> CAN I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE PLEASE?

>> THE DEBATE DETERIORATED INTO THE CANDIDATES TRADING ONE GOTCHA AFTER ANOTHER WERE NEITHER ADDRESSED THE TRULY PRESSING ISSUES.

>> GOTCHA.

G.O.T.C.H.A.

GOTCHA.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

NEXT SPELLER PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS CECILY DEAN REPRESENTING LEON COUNTY HOMESCHOOLERS.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS TROLL.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING A SUPERNATURAL BEING IN GERMANIC AND SCANDINAVIAN FOLKLORE AND MYTHOLOGY, HAVING SOMETIMES THE FORM OF A DWARF AND SOMETIMES A GIANT, AND INHABITING CAVES OR HILLS.

>> MAY I HAVE THAT WORD IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

HER GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER A FAIRYTALE ABOUT TROLL WHO WAS REALLY A PRINCE.

>> TROLL.

T-R-O-L-L. TROLL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS KRISH PATEL AND I AM FROM MCCLAY MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS SNITCH.

>> CAN HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ONE WHO GIVES INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE AGAINST SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY AN ASSOCIATE.

>> SNITCH.

S-N-I-T-C-H. SNITCH.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I AM MEHA SHANBHANG.

>> YOUR WORD IS ICEBERG.

>> CAN I HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION?

>> YOU NEED TO ASK ME FOR A SPECIFIC.

>> A DEFINITION.

>> DEFINITION.

A LARGE MASS OF LAND ICE BROKEN FROM A GLACIER AT THE END OF A BODY OF WATER THAT, WHEN A FLOW, HAS ONLY A SMALL PART ABOVE THE SURFACE AND IN AN OCEAN, FLOATS WITH SUBSURFACE CURRENTS OFTEN GREAT DISTANCES.

>> CAN I HAVE THE WORD AND SENTENCE?

>> THE NATURALIST TOOK A PICTURE OF A LONE PENGUIN STANDING ON AN ICEBERG.

>> ICEBERG.

I-C-E-B-E-R-G.

ICEBERG.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS LUCY SOUVA REPRESENTING TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL ELEMENTARY.

>> YOUR WORD IS TEENAGERS.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> WITH A HOUSE FULL OF TEENAGERS AND ONLY ONE BATHROOM, SHE KNEW HER BEST STRATEGY IS TO GET UP EARLIER THAN HER CHILDREN.

>> TEENAGERS.

T-E-E-N-A-G-E-R-S. TEENAGERS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS VERA VANLANDINGHAM REPRESENTING MUNICIPAL SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS SPITEFUL.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> HAVING OR EXHIBITING A DESIRE TO ANNOY OR INJURE, MALIGNANT, MALICIOUS.

>> SPITEFUL.

S-P-I-T-E-F-U-L. SPITEFUL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS ALEX WELLS REPRESENTING CHRIST SCHOOL ACADEMY.

>> YOUR WORD IS SUN SEEKER.

>> SUN SEEKER.

S-U-N-S-E-E-K-E-R. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I AM ALLIE WINSOR.

>> YOUR WORD IS OUR LITERALLY --OWLISHLY.

O-W-L-I-S-H-L-Y.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS JADEN OLEMDA FROM BRONSON MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS TREADMILL.

>> TREADMILL.

T-R-E-A-D-M-I-L-L. TREADMILL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MY NAME IS AEGEAN NEFFLEN FROM RAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> YOUR WORD IS CORKSCREW.

>> CAN I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE PLEASE?

>> THE CORKSCREW WATERSLIDE HAD SO MANY TWISTS THAT SHE WAS BUSY WHEN SHE CAME OUT TO THE OTHER SIDE.

>> CORKSCREW.

C-O-R-K-S-C-R-E-W. [BELL RINGING] >> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS C- C-O-R-K-S-C-R-E-W. >> MY NAME IS HADLEY SUGGS.

>> THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS SHARK.

IT IS A VERB MEANING TO AVOID AS A DISAGREEABLE TASK BECAUSE OF LAZINESS, LACK OF COURAGE OR DISTASTE.

>> DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TO AVOID, AS A DISAGREEABLE TASK BECAUSE OF LAZINESS, LACK OF COURAGE OR DISTASTE.

>> SHIRK.

S-H-E-R-K. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS S-H-I-R-K.

THIS CONCLUDES AROUND ONE OF THE 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EXIT THE STAGE NOW.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND 2.

SPELLER ONE, PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS YONDER.

>> CAN YOU SAY A DEFINITION?

>> BEING AT A DISTANCE, WITHIN VIEW, OR AT A PLACE, OR IN A DIRECTION KNOWN OR INDICATED.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> CECIL COULD NOT SEE ANY TREES EXCEPT ONE THAT WAS IN THAT FIELD YONDER.

>> YONDER.

Y-O-N-D-E-R. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YOUR WORD IS SCOOTER.

A CHILD'S VEHICLE THAT CONSIST OF A NARROW FOOTBOARD MOUNTED BETWEEN TWO WHEELS TANDEM WITH AN UPRIGHT HANDLE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT WHEEL, AND IS OPERATED BY THE CHILD PLACING ONE FOOT ON THE FOOTBOARD, PUSHING WITH THE OTHER FOOT AND STEERING WITH THE HANDLE.

>> SCOOTER.

S-C-O-O-T-E-R. SCOOTER.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS DWINDLED.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> IT BECAME STEADILY LESS, DIMINISHED IN SIZE, AMOUNT OR QUALITY.

>> DWINDLED.

D-W-I-N-D-L-E-D. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS SPINDLE.

>> SPINDLE.

S-P-I-N-D-L-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SPELLER NUMBER 3 CHALLENGED THE FACT THAT HIS WORD WAS TRENDY, AND THE CHALLENGE WAS THAT HE SPELLED CORRECTLY THE WORD THAT HE HEARD.

THE JUDGES CONFERRED AND AGREED THAT HE DID ASK FOR THAT WORD TO BE USED IN A SENTENCE, AND IN THE CONTEXT OF THAT SENTENCE, THAT WORD IS USED AS AN ADJECTIVE, SO HE SHOULD HAVE PERCEIVED THE CORRECT WORD IF NOT FROM THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE PRONOUNCER THAN FROM THE CONTEXT OF THE SENTENCE.

WE DID DECIDE THAT UNFORTUNATELY HE DID MISSPELL THE WORD THAT HE WAS GIVEN.

>> YOUR WORD IS KINDRED.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> WHEN CLAUDIA AND STACY SHOWED UP AT BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT WEARING THE SAME SUPERHERO BACKPACK, THEY REALIZED THEY WERE KINDRED SPIRITS.

>> KINDRED.

K-I-N-D-R-E-D. KINDRED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS JERSEY.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> BECKY PREFERS JERSEY DRESSES FOR TRAVELING BECAUSE SHE CAN PACK THEM TIGHTLY WITHOUT CAUSING THEM TO RECOIL.

>> CAN I GET A DEFINITION?

>> A PLANE, WEST KNITTED FABRIC IN TUBULAR FORM MADE OF WOOL, COTTON, NYLON, OR SILK, AND USED FOR UNDERWEAR, DRESSES, OR SPORTSWEAR.

>> JERSEY.

J-E-R-S-E-Y.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD KNIGHT IS MEANING A MOUNTED MAN OF ARMS OF THE EUROPEAN FEUDAL PERIOD SERVING A KING OR OTHER SUPERIOR, USUALLY IN RETURN FOR TENURE OF LAND, ESPECIALLY A MAN CEREMONIALLY INDUCTED BY A FEUDAL SUPERIOR INTO SPECIAL MILITARY RANK, USUALLY AFTER COMPLETING REGULAR PERIODS OF SERVICE AS PAIGE AND SQUIRE.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE KNIGHT WAS KNOWN FOR HIS BRAVERY AND LOYALTY.

>>K-N-I-G-H-T. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YOUR WORD IS THICKET.

>> THICKET.

T-H-I-C-K-I-T. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS T-H-I-C-K-E-T.

YOUR WORD IS CACTUS.

>> CAN I HAVE A DEFINITION?

>> ANY OF A FAMILY OF PLANTS THAT ARE CHARACTERIZED CHIEFLY BY FLESHY STEMS AND BRANCHES ON WHICH THE FOLIAGE LEAVES ARE USUALLY REPLACED BY SPINES, SCALES, OR HAIRS.

>> CACTUS.

C-S-C-T-U-S. CACTUS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS FRAUGHT.

IT IS AN ADJECTIVE MEANING BURDEN OR MENACED WITH.

>> YOU SAID IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE WORK OF THE FIREFIGHTER IS FRAUGHT WITH DANGER.

>> FRAUGHT.

F-R-A-U-G-H-T.

FRAUGHT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS ISLAND.

>> CAN I HAVE A DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A TRACT OF LAND SURROUNDED BY WATER AND SMALLER THAN A CONTINENT.

>> ISLAND.

I-S-L-A-N-D. ISLAND.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS EGG SOBA CORN, A WORD OR PHRASE THAT SOUNDS LIKE, AND HIS, MISTAKENLY USED IN A SEEMINGLY LOGICAL ARE POSSIBLE WAY FOR ANOTHER WORD OR PHRASE AS PART OF THE SET EXPRESSION.

>> MAY I HAVE THE WORD USED IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE EDITOR LEFT A TACTFULLY WORDED COMMENT EXPLAINING THAT PASS THE MUSTARD IS ACTUALLY IN A CORN -- EGGCORN FOR PAST MUSTARD.

>> AND ALTERATION OF ORIGINALLY ENGLISH WORD.

>> EGGCORN.

E-G-G-C-O-R-N. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS WHEEDLE.

>> A DEFINITION?

>> TO GAIN OR GET AWAY WITH BY USING WORDS OR FLATTERY.

>> PLEASE PUT IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> GINGER WAS SURE SHE COULD WHEEDLE TEN DOLLARS OUT OF HER FATHER.

>> WHEEDLE.

W-H-E-E-D-L-E. WHEEDLE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS HARDTACK.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A HARD BISCUIT OR LOAF BREAD MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER, WITHOUT SALT, AND BAKED IN LARGE OR SMALL FORM.

>> CAN I HAVE THE WORD IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

HARDTACK WITH A WIDELY DISLIKED RATION FOR SOLDIERS IN THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.

>> HARDTACK.

H-A-R-D-T-AC-K. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS SAILAGE.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ON A SHIP, THE COLLECTIVE EXTENT OF CANVAS AND OTHER FABRIC BY MEANS OF WHICH THE WIND IS USED TO PROPEL SHIPS THROUGH THE WATER.

>> SAILAGE.

S-A-I-L-A-G-E. SAILAGE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS DISTINCTIVE.

>> CAN I HAVE A DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> CHARACTERISTIC, PECULIAR.

>> DISTINCTIVE.

D-I-S-T-I-N-C-T-I-V-E.

DISTINCTIVE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS CHOWDER.

>> CHOWDER.

C-H-O-W-D-E-R. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS ULNA.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> THE INNER OF THE TWO BONES OF THE FOREARM THAT, IN HUMANS, FORMS WITH THE HUMOROUS, THE ELBOW JOINT, AND SERVES AS A PIVOT IN ROTATION OF THE HAND.

>> REPEAT THE WORD?

>> ULNA.

>> ULNA.

U-L-N-A-.

ULNA.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS CAPITALIST.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME THE DEFINITION?

>> PRACTICING AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY PRIVATE OR CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF ACCUMULATED GOODS DEVOTED TO PRODUCTION OF OTHER GOODS AND ALSO BY INVESTMENTS THAT ARE DETERMINED BY PRIVATE DECISION RATHER THAN BY STATE CONTROL.

>> CAPITALIST.

C-A-P-I-T-A-L-I-S-T. CAPITALIST.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS C-A-P-I-T-A-L-I-S-T.

THIS CONCLUDES ROUND 2 OF THE 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING THE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUN 3.

SPELLER ONE, PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS RESTIVE.

IT IS AN ADJECTIVE MEANING MARKED BY UNEASINESS, AND LACK OF QUIETNESS OR ATTENTIVE INTEREST, FIDGETY.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> DORIS HOPED SHE WOULD, RESTIVE CROWD WITH HER RENDITION OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

>> RESTIVE.

R-E-S-T-I-V-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS FORTIFICATION.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> FORTIFICATION.

>> SAY IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE FORTIFICATION AT THE BRIDGE KEPT ENEMY FORCES FROM ENTERING THE TOWN.

>> SAY IT AGAIN BUT SLOWER PLEASE.

>> I CAN'T REPEAT IT SLOWER BUT I WILL REPEAT THE WORD.

FORTIFICATION.

>> F -- FORTIFICATION.

F-O-R-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. FORTIFICATION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS DOCKET.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> A CALENDAR OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED ON BY ANY FORMALLY ORGANIZED BODY AS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, AGENDA.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD PLEASE?

>> DOCKET.

>> DOCKET.

D-O-C-K-I-T. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS D-O-C-K-E-T.

YOUR WORD IS ASTOUNDING.

>> ASTOUNDING.

A-S-T-O-U-N-D-I-N-G. ASTOUNDING.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS TRICE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE WORD?

>> TRICE.

>> A DEFINITION PLEASE.

>> A BRIEF TIME, INSTANT, MOMENT.

>> T-R-I-C-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YOUR WORD IS MATERNITY.

>> CAN I GET THE DEFINITION?

>> A HOSPITAL OR SECTION OF A HOSPITAL DESIGNED FOR THE CARE OF WOMEN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND DURING CHILDBIRTH AND THE CARE OF NEWBORN BABIES.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> HER FAVORITE PART OF WORKING IN THE MATERNITY WARD WAS SEEING THE THRILLED FACES OF THE NEW PARENTS.

>> MATERNITY.

M-A-T-E-R-N-I-T-Y.

MATERNITY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS REPENTANT.

>> COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE DEFINITION.

>> EXPERIENCING CONTRITION FOR ONE'S SINS, TOGETHER WITH THE DEDICATION OF ONESELF TO THE ABANDONMENT OF UNWORTHY PURPOSES AND VALUES AND TO THE AMENDMENT OF ONE'S LIKE.

LIFE.

>> REPENTANT.

R-E-P-E-N-T-A-N-T. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS DEPOSED.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> TO REMOVE FROM A THRONE OR OTHER HIGH POSITION.

TO THE VEST OR DEPRIVE OF OFFICE OR RANKED, TO DETHRONE.

IT IS A VERB.

>> THAT YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> DEPOSE.

>> DEPOSE.

D-E-P-O-S-E. DEPOSE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS AWRY.

>> DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> WRONG.

A MESS.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> GALAX PLANS FOR THE VICTORY PARADE WENT HOPELESSLY AWRY.

>> A-W-R-Y.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS CALI.

IT IS A NOUN, MEANING A DOG OF A BREED DEVELOPED IN SPOT ONE USED FOR GENERATIONS IN HERDING SHEEP, STANDING 20 TO 24 INCHES AT THE SHOULDER, WEIGHING 50-60 POUNDS, HAVING A LONG, POINTED MUZZLE WITH LITTLE OR NO STOP, AND OCCURRING IN TWO VARIETIES, THE LONG-HAIRED WITH PROFUSE COAT, VERY FULL ROUGH AND FEATHERING AND PLUMEY TALE AND THE LESS COMMON, SHORTHAIRED, WITH SOMEWHAT HARSH, CLOSE COAT.

>> REPEAT THE WORD.

>> COLLIE.

>> COLLIE.. C-O-L-L-I-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS RUBRIC.

COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> CAN I HAVE THE MEANING OF THAT WORD?

>> A GUIDE LISTING SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR SCORING ACADEMIC PAPERS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, AND TESTS.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THIS WORD IS FROM LATIN.

>> RUBRIC.

R-U-B-R-I-C.

RUBRIC.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS CONTRACTION.

>> MAY I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A SHORTENING OF A WORD, SELLABLE, OR WERE GROUPED BY OMISSION.

>> CONTRACTION.

C-O-N-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N. CONTRACTION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS CUSHION.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO PROTECT FROM JARRING EFFECTS WITH, OR AS IF WITH, A SOFT PAD.

>> CAN I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE PILLOWS THAT THE CHAUFFEUR PLACED IN THE CAR CUSHIONED MISSUS JOHNSON AT HER GUESTS FROM THE POTHOLES.

>> CUSHION.

C-U-S-H-I-O-N.

CUSHION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS RIFFRAFF.

>> RIFFRAFF.

CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION PLEASE?

>> ANY GROUP OF PERSON LOOKED UPON AS COMMON, DISREPUTABLE, OR VERY UNCONVENTIONAL.

>> COULD YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE PLEASE?

>> WHEN NADINE WON AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO AN EXCLUSIVE RESORT, SHE JOKED ABOUT NOT HAVING TO VACATION WITH THE REST OF THE RIFFRAFF.

>> RIFFRAFF.

R-I-F-F-R-A-F-F. RIFFRAFF.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS WHEELED, A VERB MEANING TO USE AS A TOOL OR INSTRUMENT, ESPECIALLY WITH POOL COMMAND OR POWER, TO HANDLE, TO MANIPULATE, AND TO CONTROL.

THE WORD IS WHEELED.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> GABE'S FAVORITE SCENE IN THE MOVIE IS THE ONE IN WHICH THE FIREFIGHTERS WHEELED THEIR TANKS AND HOSES.

>> WHEELED.

W-H-E-E-L-E-C. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD W-H-E-E-L-E-D IS.

>> YOUR WORD IS SITUATION.

>> SITUATION.

S-I-T-U-A-T-I-O-N. SITUATION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS PITIFUL.

>> PITIFUL.

REPEAT THE WORD.

>> PITIFUL.

>> PITIFUL.

P-I-T-I-F-U-L. PITIFUL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS CONCLUDES AROUND 3 OF THE 2,023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND 4.

SPELLER ONE, APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS UNFAZED.

>> UNFAZED.

CAN YOU SAY THE DEFINITION?

>> NOT DISTURBED OR WORRIED, UNDAUNTED.

>> UNFAZED.

U-N-F-A-Z-E-D.

UNFAZED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOU READY?

>> YEP.

>> DON'T WANT TO RUSH YOU.

YOUR WORD IS EXTENSIVE.

>> SAY IT AGAIN.

>> EXTENSIVE.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE DOCUMENT RE-SERIES COVERED AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF TOPICS REGARDING AMERICA IN THE 1920s.

>> EXTENSIVE.

E-X-T-E-N-S-I-V-E. EXTENSIVE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD KNOLL IS, A USUALLY SMALL, ROUNDED LAND OR MOUNT.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> DRUSILLA LAY AT THE TOP OF THE NKMOLL AND ENJOYED THE WARMH OF THE SUN.

>> N-U-L-L. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS K- K-N-O-L-L.

YOUR WORD IS INCLUSION.

>> INCLUSION.

I-N-C-L-U-S-I-O-N.

INCLUSION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS DEFIANT.

>> CAN I GET A DEFINITION?

>> POOL OF WILLINGNESS TO FIGHT OR DISPOSITION TO RESIST.

>> DEFIANT.

D-E-F-I-A-N-T. DEFIANT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS EXISTENCE.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING THE STATE OR FACT OF HAVING BEING ESPECIALLY AS CONSIDERED INDEPENDENTLY OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS AND AS CONTRASTED WITH THE NEGATION OF BEING.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> YES.

SOME SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THAT A HIGH OXYGEN ATMOSPHERE IS NECESSARY FOR THE EXISTENCE OF LIFE ON PLANETS OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

>> EXISTENCE.

E-X-S-I-T-E-N-C-E. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS -E-X-I-S-T-E-N-C-E.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS WHEY.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING SERUM OR WATERY PART OF MILK CONTAINING SUGAR, MINERALS, SEPARATED FROM THE OCCURRED ESPECIALLY IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING CHEESE.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> WHEY.

>> WHEY.

W-H-E-Y.

WHEY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS LAMBASTED.

>> DEFINITION PLEASE.

>> ADMINISTERED A VERBAL OR WRITTEN THRASHING TO.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE COACH LAMBASTED HIS PLAYERS FOR THEIR LACK OF TEAMWORK DURING THE GAME.

>> LAMBASTED.

L-A-M-B-A-S-T--E-D.

LAMBASTED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS HIPSTERISM.

>> DEFINITION PLEASE.

>> THE QUALITY OR STATE OF BEING CHARACTERIZED BY A KEEN, INFORMED AWARENESS OF OR INTEREST IN WHAT IS NEW OR SMART, EXTREMELY ALERT AND KNOWING.

>> REPEAT THE WORD.

>> HIPSTERISM.

>> HIPSTERISM.

H-I-P-S-T-E-R-I-S-M. HIPSTERISM.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS COMPARISON.

>> MAY I HAVE THE MEANING OF THAT WORD?

>> PLAY THINK TOGETHER OR JUXTAPOSING OF TWO OR MORE ITEMS TO ASCERTAIN, BRING INTO RELIEF, OR ESTABLISH THEIR SIMILARITIES AND DISSIMILARITIES.

>> COULD I HAVE THE WORD USED IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

LUSSIER RESENTED THE CONSTANT COMPARISON BETWEEN HER AND HER OLDER SISTER.

>> COMPARISON.

C-O-M-P-A-R-I-S-O-N.

COMPARISON.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS A SCRIBE.

>> THEY I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO REFER, ESPECIALLY TO A SUPPOSED CAUSE, SOURCE, OR OFFER.

ASSIGN, ATTRIBUTE.

>> MAY I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> DAPHNE DID NOT HESITATE TO ASCRIBE THE BLAME FOR BREAKING HER MOTHER'S FAVORITE VASE TO THE FAMILY DOG.

>> A-S-C-R-I-B-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS MERCHANDISE.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING THE COMMODITIES OR GOODS THAT ARE BOUGHT AND SOLD IN BUSINESS, THE WARES OF COMMERCE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE WORD IN A SENTENCE?

>> A STAGGERING AMOUNT OF MERCHANDISE WAS FOR SALE AT THE BAND'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT.

>> MERCHANDISE.

M-E-R-C-H-A-N-D-I-S-E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> YOUR WORD IS SUBSTITUTE.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE PLEASE?

>> YES.

WHEN DONALD FOULED OUT OF THE BASKETBALL GAME, THE COACH DECIDED TO SEND IN A SUBSTITUTE WHO HAD WARMED THE BENCH FOR WEEKS.

>> SUBSTITUTE.

S-U-B-S-T-I-T-U-T-E.

SUBSTITUTE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS LATERAL.

>> LATERAL.

L-A-T-E-R-A-L. LATERAL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS REDEMPTION.

>> REDEMPTION.

R-E-D-E-M-P-T-I-O-N. REDEMPTION.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS CONCLUDES ROUND 4 OF THE 2,023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED AND IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE.

IF THE SPELLERS IN THE FRONT ROW COULD MOVE TO THE CENTER, YOU WON'T HAVE AS FAR TO WALK, THANK YOU.

JUDGES, I WILL PICK UP AT WORD 100.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND 5.

SPELLER ONE, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS REHEARSAL.

>> CAN YOU SAY THE DEFINITION?

>> A PRIVATE RECITAL, PERFORMANCE, OR PRACTICE SESSION HELD IN PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC APPEARANCE.

>> SAY IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> THE DRESS REHEARSAL GAVE THE ACTORS A CHANCE TO RUN COMPLETELY THROUGH THE PLAY IN FRONT OF A SMALL AUDIENCE.

>> REHEARSAL.

R-E-H-E-A-R-S-A-L. REHEARSAL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS CAUSAL.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> CAUSAL.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE PLEASE.

>> KYLIE EXPLAINED TO HER SON THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIRECT CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOT DOING HIS CHORES AND BEING GROUNDED.

>> CAUSAL.

C-A-U-S-A-L. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS EXPUNGE.

>> CAN I GET THE WORD AND A SENTENCE PLEASE?

>> THE CRIMINAL WAS CAREFUL TO EXPUNGE HIS FINGERPRINTS FROM THE CRIME SCENE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> TO OBLITERATE, A MATERIAL RECORD OR TRACE, BY ANY MEANS.

>> EXPUNGE.

E-X-P-O-N-G-E. [BELLRINGING] >> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS E- E-X-P-U-N-G-E.

YOUR WORD IS PAR VVO.

>> CAN I GET A DEFINITION?

>> I HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE OF DOGS THAT IS CAUSED BY A VIRUS, SPREAD ESPECIALLY BY CONTACT WITH INFECTED FECES AND IS MARKED BY LOSS OF APPETITE, LETHARGY, OFTEN VOMITING, AND SOMETIMES DEATH.

>> USE IT IN A SENTENCE.

>> MIKE THINKS BOOMER CAUGHT PARVO FROM A NEIGHBOR DOG WHO DUG HIS WAY UNDER THE FENCE INTO THE YARD.

>> P-A-R-V-O-W. [BELL >> YOUR WORD IS PUNILY.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> PUNILY.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THE DEFINITION?

>> IN A MANNER LACKING IN FORCE OR VITALITY, WEAKLY, INSIGNIFICANTLY.

>> COULD YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

THE MOVIE ENDS WITH THE VILLAIN HANDING BACK THE JEWELS AND BEING LED AWAY PUNILY IN HANDCUFFS.

>> PUNILY.

P-U-N-I-L-Y, PUNILY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS DIETETIC.

>> I HAVE THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> ADAPTED AS BY ELIMINATION OF SUGAR OR SALT FOR USE IN A SPECIAL OR RESTRICTED COURSE OF FOOD CONSUMPTION.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCESOME.

>> YES.

MOST GROCERY STORES NOW OFFER A WIDE SELECTION OF DIETETIC FOODS.

>> DIETETICS -- DIETETIC.

D-I-E-, THE-E-T-I-C, DIETETIC.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS MEDUSA.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING A SMALL HYDROSOW WAN JELLYFISH.

>> CAN I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED, PLEASE?

[LAUGHTER] >> THIS WORD IS FROM LATIN WHICH FORMED IT FROM A GREEK MYTHOLOGICAL NAME.

>> MEDUSA.

M-E-D-U-S-A, MEDUSA.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS HIJAB.

>> MAY I HAVE THE MEANING OF THAT WORD?

>> THE TRADITIONAL COVERING FOR THE HAIR AND NECK THAT IS WORN BY MUSLIM WOMEN.

>> MAY I HAVE THAT WORD USED IN A SENTENCE?

>> ZARA HAS A BEAUTIFUL FUSCHIA HIJAB THAT SHE WEARS JUST FOR THE HOLY DAY.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THIS WORD IS FROM ARABIC.

>> HIJAB.

H-I-J-A-B, HIJAB.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS MENIAL.

>> MENIAL.

CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> OF, RELATING TO OR BEING WORK NOT REQUIRING SPECIAL SKILL OR NOT CALLING INTO PLAY THE HIGHER INTELLECTUAL POWERS AND OFTEN REGARDED AS LACKING DIGNITY, STATUS OR INTEREST.

>> MENIAL.

M-E-N-I-A-L, MENIAL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS COUKELLS -- COCKLES.

>> COCKLES?

CAN I HAVE THE WORD IN A SENTENCE?

>> EVERY YEAR AT THE BEE, WASHINGTON SPELLERS CONSOLE AND CONGRATULATE EACH OTHER, WARMS THE COCKLES OF THE DOCTOR'S HEART.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> THE CENTER OR CORE OF ONE'S BEING.

>> COCKLES.

C-A-U-C-H-L-E-S. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORLD IS C-O-C-K-L-E-S. >> YOUR WORD IS MAROONED.

>> MAY I I HAVE THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> ABANDONED ON THE SHORE ON A DESOLATE ISLAND OR COAST AND LEFT TO ONE'S FATE.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE, PLEASE?

>> THE PIRATES MAROONED JACK AND ELIZABETH ON A SMALL DESERT ISLAND.

>> MAROONED.

M-A-R-O-O-N-E-D, MAROONED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS LITHIUM.

>> LITHIUM.

L-I-T-H-I-U-M, LITHIUM.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS VINEYARD.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING A FIELD OF GRAPEVINES.

>> VINEYARD, V-I-N-E-Y-A-R-D, VINEYARD.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS CONCLUDES ROUND FIVE OF THE 2023 BUG BEND REGIONAL -- BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE.

AND SPELLER 10, IF YOU WANT TO MOVE OVER TO THE END THERE, YOU'RE WELCOME TO.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND SIX.

SPELLER 1, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS, UNSCATHED.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> UNSCATHED.

>> CAN YOU SAY THE DEFINITION?

>> WHOLLY UNHARMED, NOT INJURED.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> GRACE CONSIDERED HERSELF LUCKY THAT SHE MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE CAR WRECK UNSAITED.

-- UNSCATHED.

>> UNSCATHED.

U-N-S-C-A-T-H-E-D, UNSCATHED.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS ZYGOTE.

>> IS THERE A SECOND PRONUNCIATION?

>> THERE IS.

ZYGOTE.

>> DEFINITION?

>> A CELL FORMED BY THE UNION OF TWO GAMETES, A FERTILIZED EGG.

>> ZYGOTE.

Z-Y-G-O-T, ZYGOTE.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS Z-Y-G-O-T-E.

YOUR WORD IS CHORTLE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> CHORTLE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION.

>> A SOUND EXPRESSIVE OF PLEASURE OR EXALTATION.

>> CHORTLE, C-H-O-R-T-L-E, CHORTLE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS ARBITRARY.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> ARISING FROM UNRESTRAINED EXERCISE OF THE WILL, CAPRIS OR PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

>> YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> SURE.

>> THE DECISION ON WHERE TO SPEND HIS VACATION SEEMED TO BE ARBITRARY RATHER THAN BASED ON ANY RESEARCH OR RECOMMENDATION.

>> ARBITRARY.

A-R-B-I-T-R-A-R-Y, ARBITRARY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS O YES NATE.

OXYGENATE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> TO TREAT OR SUPPLY WITH A COLORLESS GAS.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

THE NURSE NEEDED TO OXYGENATE THE PATIENT SUFFERING FROM LOWER THAN AVERAGE LUNG CAPACITY.

>> CAN I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THE FIRST PART IS FROM A WORD FORMED IN FRENCH, AND THE SECOND PART IS IN ENGLISH COMBINING FORM.

>> OXYGENATE.

O-X-Y-G-E-N-A-T-E, OXYGENATE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS MA NIP LAB.

>> MAY I HAVE THE MEANING OF THAT WORD?

>> CAPABLE OF BEING HANDLED OR MANAGED TOWARDS SOME OBJECTIVE.

>> MANI IPULABLE.

M-A-N-I-P-U-L-A-B-L. E. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOW MANY ANYTIME CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS CASTOR.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING A CREAMY ORANGE-BROWN SUBSTANCE WITH STRONG PENETRATING ODOR AND BITTER TASTE THAT CONSISTS OF THE DRY PER KNEEL GLANDS OF THE BEAVER AND THEIR SECRETION OR AN EXTRACT OF THIS, AND IT IS USED BY PERFUMERS AS A FIXATIVE AND BY PROFESSIONAL TRAPPERS TO SCENT BAIT.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

ONCE A COMMON FOOD AND TOBACCO ADDITIVE, CASTOR IS RARELY USED TODAY.

>> CASTOR.

C-A-S-T-E-R, CASTOR.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS C-A-S-T-O-R.

YOUR WORD IS INUNDATE.

>> MAY I HAVE THE DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> TO FLOOD WITH WATER, TO SUBMERGE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD, PLEASE?

>> INUNDATE.

>> INUNDATE.

I-N-E-N-D-A-T-E, INUNDATE.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS I-N-U U-N-D-A-T-E.

YOUR WORD IS EQUINOX.

>> YES.

QUESTION KNOX.

E-Q-U-I-N-O--, AND.

EQUINOX.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS WAMBLE.

IT IS A VERB MEANING TO MOVE UNSTEADILY OR WITH A WEAVING OR ROLLING MOTION.

>> WILL YOU REPEAT THE WORLD?

>> WAMBLE.

>> WAMBLEW-A-M-B-L-E, WOMAN BL.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS CONCLUDES ROUND SIX OF THE 2023 BIG BEND SPELLING BEE.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND SEVEN.

SPELLER NUMBER 1, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

THIS WORD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS ORDINANCE.

IT IS AN ADJECTIVE MEANING A LOCAL LAW OR REGULATION ENACTED BY A CITY COUNCIL OR OTHER SIMILAR BODY UNDER POWERS DELEGATED TO IT BY THE STATE.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> LOCAL ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT MR. BELL GET APPROVAL FROM THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE BUILDING A FENCE AROUND HIS BACKYARD.

>> ORDINANCE.

O-R-D THE-I-N-A-N-C-E, ORDINANCE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS JUVENILIA.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE ARTIST'S JUVENILIA DEMONSTRATED THAT HE HAD BEEN INTERESTED IN SIMILAR THEMES THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> ARTISTIC OR LITERARY COMPOSITION PRODUCED IN AN AUTHOR'S YOUTH AND TYPICALLY MARKED BY IMMATURITY OF STYLE, TREATMENT OR THOUGHT.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> JUV VENILIA.

>> J-U-V-, E-N-I-L-I-A.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS INTERRED.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> DEPOSITED A DEAD BODY IN THE EARTH OR IN A GRAVE OR TOMB, BURIED.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> FOR WEEKS AFTER HER GRANDMOTHER WAS INTERRED, STACY STILL COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS GONE.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> INTERRED.

>> E-N-T-U-R-E-D, INTERRED.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS I-N-T-E-RUSSIAN-R -- E-D.

YOUR WORD IS JARL.

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A DEFINITION, PLEASE?

>> A MEDIEVAL SCANDINAVIAN NOBLE RANKING IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE KING.

USED ALSO OF THE CHIEFS OF -- AND SHETLAND.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> JARL.

>> CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> IN MEDIEVAL SWEDEN, USUALLY ONLY ONE NOBLEMAN AT A TIME COULD HOLD THE TITLE OF JARL.

>> JARL.

Y-A-R-L, JARL.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS J-A-R-L.

YOUR WORD IS TRY DEN -- SATISFY DEN CITY.

>> MAY I HAVE THE MEANING OF THAT THAT WORD?

>> THE QUALITY OR STATE OF LOUDLY OR ON STREWSIVELY -- OBTRUSIVELY COMMANDING NOTICE OR RECOGNITION.

>> MAY I HAVE THAT WORD USED IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE POLITICIAN'S STRIDENCY ON THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE INCITED ANGER IN SOME VOTERS.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THIS WORD IS FROM LATIN.

>> STRIDENCY.

S-T-R-I-D-E-N-C-Y, TRY DENY.

-- STRIDENCY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS STATUESQUE.

>> STATUEESQUE.

S-T-A-T-U-E-S-C, STATUESQUE.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS S-T-A-T-U-E-S-Q-U-E.

YOUR WORD IS ASTRINGENT.

>> A ASTRINGENT, A-S-T-R-I-N-G-E E-N-T. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> AND THIS CONCLUDES ROUND SEVEN OF THE BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE.

WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND EIGHT.

SPELLER NUMBER 1, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS QUIDDITY.

>> CAN YOU SAY IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> MARIN IS A POPULAR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN PART DUE TO HER INNATE ABILITY TO CAPTURE THE QUIDD CAN ITY OF HER SUBJECTS.

>> DEFINITION?

>> THE THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OR ULTIMATE FORM OF SOMETHING.

>> QUIDDITY.

Q-U-I-D-D-I-T-Y.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS TAPIOCA.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A PREPARATION OF STARCH PROCESSED INTO GRANULAR, FLAKE, PELLET OR FLOWER FORM AND USED AS A THICKEN AGENT IN PUDDING, SOUPS OR JUICY PIES.

>> TAPIOCA.

T-A-P-I-O-C-A, TAPIOCA.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS WORLD HAS A HOMONYM OR COULD BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD.

YOUR WORD IS WEALD.

IT IS A NOUN MEANING A HEAVILY WOODED AREA.

A FOREST.

>> MAY I HAVE THAT WORD USED IN A SENTENCESOME.

>> YES.

-- SENTENCE?

>> YES.

AFTER THREE DAYS OF HIKING, THE TIRED AND DIRTY SCOUTS FINALLYLY EMERGED FROM THE WEALD.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> WEALD.

>> MAY I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THIS WORD IS ORIGINALLY ENGLISH.

>> WEALD.

W-E-E-L-D. >> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS W-E-A-L-D.

YOUR WORD IS SHENANIGANS.

>> SHENANIGANS.

S-H-E-N-A-N-I-G-A-N-S, SHENANIGANS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS CONCLUDES ROUND EIGHT OF THE 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ELIMINATED IN THIS ROUND, PLEASE EXIT THE STAGE, AND WE WILL NOW BEGIN ROUND NINE.

AND SPELLER 1, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS PLATITUDE.

>> CAN YOU SAY THE DEFINITION?

>> A THOUGHT OR REMARK THAT IS FLAT, DULL, TRITE OR WEAK, A DULL, STEAL OR INSIPID TRUISM.

>> PLATITUDE.

P-L-A-T-I-T-U-D-E, PLATITUDE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

YOUR WORD IS IMMI NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGER.

-- IMMIE.

>> CAN I HAVE THE DEFINITION?

>> A GLASS MARBLE STREAKED WITH COLORS.

>> CAN I HAVE THE LANGUAGE OF ORIGIN?

>> THE FIRST PART OF THIS WORD WAS FORMED FROM A LATIN WORD, AND THE SECOND PART IS AN ENGLISH COMBINING FORM.

>> CAN I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> THE PRIZE ITEM IN CHORIN'S MARBLE COLLECTION WAS AN IMMIE THAT LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THE PLANET JUPITER.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> IMMIE.

>> IMMIE.

I-M-M-E, IMMIE.

>> THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE WORD IS I-M-M-I-E.

YOUR WORD IS GALVANIZE.

>> WILL YOU REPEAT THE WORD?

>> GALVANIZE.

>> MAY YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> YES.

A FAILING GRADE ON HIS REPORT CARD MIGHT BE THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GALVANIZE ROBERT INTO TAKING THE CLASS MORE SERIOUSLY.

>> MAY I HAVE IT IN A SENTENCE?

>> A FAILING GRADE ON HIS REPORT CARD MIGHT BE THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GALVANIZE ROBERT INTO TAKING THE CLASS MORE SERIOUSLY.

>> OH, SORRY, I -- GALVANIZE.

G-A-L-V -- >> THE CORRECT SPELLING IS G-A-L-V-A-N-I-SISTER-E. >> SO IF THE SPECIALS WILL PLEASE REMAIN ON THE STAGE -- SPELLERS WILL PLEASE REMAIN ON THE STAGE, WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT OF OUR COMPETITION WHERE IF THE REMAINING SPELLERS STILL IN THE COMPETITION SPELLS THE NEXT WORD IN THIS ONE-PERSON ROUND CORRECTLY, WE WILL DECLARE YOU THE CHAMPION.

IF YOU MISSPELL IN THIS NEXT ROUND, WE WILL REINSTATE THE SPELLERS WHO MISSPELLED IN THE PREVIOUS ROUND, AND WE WILL RESUME THE COMPETITION.

SPELLER 1, YOU MAY APPROACH THE MICROPHONE.

YOUR WORD IS SUPERLATIVE.

>> SUPERLATIVE.

S-U-P-E-R-L-A-T-I-V-E, SUPERLATIVE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE CHAMPION, AND YOU WILL REPRESENT ENVISION CREDIT UNION AT THE 2023 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE.

[APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER, SUMAYYA AHMED FROM PANAMA CITY ADVANCED SCHOOL, SIXTH GRADE.

HOW DID YOU STUDY FOR THIS?

>> I LOOKED AT THE WORDS, AND I HAD MY MOM TEST ME ON THEM.

>> SO A LOT OF WORK FOR MOM TOO, YEAH.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT NOW YOU GET TO REPRESENT THE BIG BEND WITH THE ENVISION CREDIT UNION, SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE?

WHAT WAS MOST EXCITING ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S LIKE REALLY IT FEELS GOOD WHEN YOU WIN, AND IT'S SUCH A NICE EXPERIENCE HERE.

IT'S FUN TOO.

>> I AGREE.

IT'S FUN TO WIN, RIGHT?

WELL, CONGRATULATION CONGRATULATIONS.

SO YOU HAVE SOME WONDERFUL PRIZES WAITING FOR YOU.

SO YOU GET TO GO TO THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN WASHINGTON D.C. THAT INCLUDES A SIX-NIGHT STAY FOR THE CHAMPION AND ONE PARENT.

MAYBE THAT GETS TO BE YOU.

THIS IS HAPPENING AT THE GAY LISTEN SWORD -- GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT, AND YOU ALSO GET $1,000 FOR YOUR TRAVEL EXPENSES, AND YOU GET THE ENVISION CREDIT UNION'S 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE TROPHY WHICH ANDRE HARRIS IS GIVING TO YOU RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S ALMOST AS BIG AS YOU ARE, SUE MAYA.

-- SUMAYYA.

CONGRATULATIONS.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

WOW.

[APPLAUSE] CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATS TO OUR CHAMPION.

WE'RE VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT AND SPONSOR YOU ON YOUR SPELLING JOURNEY, AND WE ALSO WANT TO CELEBRATE ALL THE SPELLERS WHO COMPETED HERE TODAY.

THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE RECOGNIZES EVERYONE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOO, SO THANK YOU, AND THAT CONCLUDES THE 2023 BIG BEND REGIONAL SPELLING BEE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHAMPION 13E8 OR AND ALL OF OUR -- SPELLER AND ALL OF OUR CHAMPIONS ON BEHALF OF WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪