South Dakota’s Rising Star: Amanuel Gemechis Shines at the Scripps National Spelling Bee
This week marked an exciting moment for South Dakota as Amanuel Gemechis, a talented 14-year-old from Brookings, represented the state at the esteemed Scripps National Spelling Bee. Competing with top young spellers from across the country, Amanuel showcased his linguistic prowess and passion for words during this renowned competition.
The event, celebrated as the 100th anniversary of the National Spelling Bee, was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. As a testament to its rich history, the bee continues to be a platform where young, talented spellers partake in a fierce but friendly battle of words.
Representing South Dakota, Amanuel Gemechis, a dedicated student at George S. Mickelson Middle School, was among the stars at the national stage. After out-spelling 27 other competitors at the state competition held in Mitchell, South Dakota, Amanuel secured his place by winning the state bee, which was sponsored by South Dakota News Watch, Dakota Wesleyan University, and the South Dakota Humanities Council.
Dakota Wesleyan University
Amanuel’s journey to the national stage was peppered with dedication and influence from his older brother, also a former competitor. His daily after-school practice sessions paid off when he successfully spelled ‘Menaia’ in the initial round and correctly defined ‘cavalcade’ as ‘a procession’ in the second round at the national bee.
The Young Talent of Brookings
George S. Mickelson Middle School prides itself on fostering talents like Amanuel. His achievement underlines the strength of South Dakota’s educational endeavors and the role of community-backed programs in nurturing future leaders. His participation also highlights the significance of support from local institutions committed to academic excellence.
Despite his promising start, Amanuel narrowly missed advancing to the finals by a single point in the third round of the bee. This, however, didn’t deter his spirit or the pride he brought to South Dakota. Reflecting on his performance, Amanuel expressed his enthusiasm for the experience and the opportunity to compete on a national platform.
At the helm of success at this year’s bee was 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Allen, Texas. Having clinched the runner-up position previously, Faizan returned to claim the championship title, showcasing a remarkable journey. With a total earning of $77,500 from his victories, Faizan generously announced his intention to donate a portion of his winnings to charity.
A Legacy of Spelling Excellence
The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which began in 1925, has a storied past. Initially hosted by the Louisville Courier-Journal, it has gathered students nationwide annually to engage in this rich linguistic tradition. Hosted by Scripps in the vicinity of Washington, D.C., for the past 14 years, the bee stands as a beacon of dedication, knowledge, and educational celebration.
For the bee’s centennial celebration, new rules were introduced to enhance competition dynamics, granting judges more discretion and creating an engaging experience for participants and audiences alike. This year, six spellers achieved an impressive streak of 28 correct words, and the accuracy among the finalists was notably high, demonstrating the caliber of participants.
Looking Forward
Although Amanuel’s journey at the national level concluded with the third round, his accomplishments have ignited excitement and pride back home in South Dakota. As the state continually fosters educational talents through dedicated community and institutional support, stories like Amanuel’s stand as testaments to the impact of nurturing young minds.
As the Scripps National Spelling Bee looks forward to returning to Constitution Hall next year, contestants from South Dakota and beyond are already gearing up to etch their stories into the annals of spelling history.
For more inspiring stories about South Dakota’s rising talents and to support local journalism, visit South Dakota News Watch or contact info through info@sdnewswatch.org.