Third

Saryn Hooks, 14, will probably never forget the word "hechscher." Indeed, though she spelled it correctly, the judges, by some bizarre flub, disqualified her. The brother of Hooks, 12, quickly confirmed her correct spelling on his laptop, and, five minutes later, she was back on the stage competing. She would end up placing third, but would win, without a doubt, the award for Most Improved Appearance in the Post-Braces category.

It is a little known fact that I myself was once active in the Oregon spelling bee scene. I even made it as far as State, but was disqualified for a mispelling of the word "mistletoe." I believe my spelling was "missiletoe."

This was especially tragic when you consider that the very next word was misspelled by every one of my opponents. I don't remember what the word was, but my parents remember me spelling it correctly. As a result of the group misspelling, the bee was restarted, but apparently I did not rate the second chance given to my opponents.

I was able to successfully spell every subsequent word, and would probably have won the bee, but we will never truly know. Saryn Hooks, you had your second chance, you have your looks, and there's always next year; so don't feel too bad.

I'd never thought of it this way before, but perhaps it was this brush with injustice at the tender age of 9 that made me the pessimist I am today. I'm glad I could share this breakthrough with you all.