2009 scripps national spelling bee finalists speller no. 7 ... · 2009 scripps national spelling...

Speller No. 7, Esther ParkArkansas Democrat Gazette, Little Rock, ArkansasAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: Joe T. Robinson Middle SchoolHometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Esther is a musician who plays violin and piano and hopes to play flute in the near future. Herfavorite sports are swimming and volleyball. Her hobbies include art and listening to rock 'n' rollmusic. She is anxious to explore the beaches of Virginia during her visit to our nation'scapital. Esther's favorite subject in school is science, and she hopes to become a physician.

Speller No. 11, Brandon WhiteheadImperial Valley Press, El Centro, CaliforniaAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: The Academy Of Higher EducationHometown: El Centro, California

A great honor for Brandon was receiving the pinnacle rank in Cub Scouting: the Arrow of LightAward. His favorite pastimes are photography, traveling, and playing with his three dogs namedMolecule, Chiquita, and Seagram. His other hobbies include inventing things, hiking, andexploring. Brandon hopes to pursue a career in orthography. He participated in the 2007 nationalfinals.

Speller No. 12, Paige VasseurDaily News Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Rio Norte Junior High SchoolHometown: Valencia, California

Paige participates in Operation US, a community-action program sponsored by the city of SantaClarita which inspires kindness among children and teaches them about equality. She loves tocook Italian cuisine for her family. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, andice-skating. Her two Roborovski hamsters are named Fluffernutter and Miss Fluffykins. Paigewants to become a scientist.

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2009 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEEFINALISTS

Speller No. 16, Josephine KaoThe Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CaliforniaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Visions in Education Charter SchoolHometown: Roseville, California

Josephine is currently featured on the American Girl Web site as a grand-prize winner in the"Stop Bullying" national poster contest. A valued member of the Capital ValleyHarp Circle, she has also played piano since the age of four. She skates on a synchronizedfigure skating team and competes nationally. In recognition of her many philanthropic efforts,Josephine will be making a speech this July at the "Nestl? Very Best in Youth" awardsceremony. She participated in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 national finals, tying for 13th place in2008.

Speller No. 18, Alex WellsThe San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, CaliforniaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Standley Middle SchoolHometown: San Diego, California

Alex is extraordinarily versed in music. He plays bassoon, piano, and clarinet and composessymphony and chamber music. He has performed with various statewide and local honormarching bands, and he is drum major of his school's marching band. He loves to read,and his favorite sport is basketball. Alex aspires to be a composer and a symphony conductor.

Speller No. 19, Ramya AuropremSan Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, CaliforniaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Joaquin Miller Middle SchoolHometown: San Jose, California

Ramya is fascinated by linguistics and is eager to learn new languages. She is fluent in Tamil andis currently studying French, and she delights in finding connections between languages. Sheinformally teaches Tamil to the children in her neighborhood. Ramya loves reading novels byLouisa May Alcott "because of the way simple ideas and stories are beautified in herworks." Ramya's other hobbies include listening to music and bicycling.

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Speller No. 36, Claudine BroussardCape Breton Post, Sydney, Nova Scotia, CanadaAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: Home SchoolHometown: Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada

Claudine is a voracious reader, and the Bible is her most treasured book. She plays traditionalfiddle and is interested in classical music. Claudine's favorite sport is swimming. A goodday for Claudine is spent outdoors hiking with her parents and siblings, followed by a mealfeaturing pineapple pizza. Claudine aspires to be a physician.

Speller No. 37, Laura NewcombeNational Post, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaAge 18, 6th gradeSchool: Forest Hill Public SchoolHometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Laura is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys swimming, fishing, canoeing, skiing, and skating.She takes lessons in ballet and synchronized swimming and appears in her school's annualmusical. In her spare time Laura can be found reading manga on her computer. She enjoys popmusic and would like to become a singer. Laura's sister, Leslie, participated in the 2006national finals.

Speller No. 40, Veronica PennyCHCH News, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaAge 19, 5th gradeSchool: Home SchoolHometown: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Veronica and her siblings operate a Web site featuring games and reviews of sporting events andconcerts. She enjoys sports (especially swimming), playing music, and gardening. She likes tospend time in the kitchen, where her favorite meal is pork baby back ribs. For luck in spellingcompetitions, Veronica sleeps with a dictionary under her pillow and spells with a penny in hershoe. She represented CHCH News in the 2008 national finals, tying for 25th place.

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Speller No. 56, Vincent MedinaThe Miami Herald, Miami, FloridaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Ramblewood Middle SchoolHometown: Coral Springs, Florida

Vincent plays oboe in his school's honors band. He is also a member of his school'smarching band, which performs at the annual Macy's Holiday Parade in Orlando. Heholds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys playing chess and basketball. At school Vincentis treasurer of its chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and is a member of the mathand debate teams. Vincent hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Vincent participated in the 2008national finals, tying for 25th place.

Speller No. 60, Miguel GatmaytanOrlando Sentinel, Orlando, FloridaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Osceola Middle SchoolHometown: Ocala, Florida

Miguel has competed in numerous geography bees and science fairs. He and other members ofhis school's Mathcounts team recently competed in the state finals. In his free time Miguelenjoys playing golf and video games and creating comics featuring stick figures. Miguel isoriginally from the Philippines, and Filipino is his first language. He hopes to become a doctor orsurgeon. Miguel participated in the 2007 national finals.

Speller No. 65, Serena Laine-LobsingerPalm Beach Spelling Bee Collaborative, West Palm Beach, FloridaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Parents Educating Children Home School AssociationHometown: West Palm Beach, Florida

Serena enjoys interior design, sewing, and learning to play guitar and piano. In her spare timeshe likes photographing nature or cityscapes and going shopping. Serena has a passion forwriting and literature, namely historical fiction and classics. Her favorite author is Jane Austen.Serena participated in the 2008 national finals.

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Speller No. 70, Talmage NakamotoThe Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, HawaiiAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Konawaena Middle SchoolHometown: Kealakekua, Hawaii

Talmage is active in Boy Scouts and has achieved Life rank. He enjoys judo and singing acappella. Talmage is named after scientist and author James E. Talmage. Science happens to behis favorite subject, and he hopes to become a physicist one day. Talmage loves to quote movielines--especially lines from his favorite movie, The Princess Bride. Talmage competed in the2008 national finals.

Speller No. 88, Kyle MouPeoria Journal Star, Peoria, IllinoisAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Dunlap Middle SchoolHometown: Peoria, Illinois

Kyle enjoys his time spent as a member of his school's scholastic bowl team. Other favoritehobbies include reading, playing chess and computer games, and drawing. He is keen to meetPresident Obama because he is "interested in what it's like to be president during acrisis." He would like to pursue a career in scientific research and biology. Kyleparticipated in the 2007 and 2008 national finals, tying for 10th place in 2008.

Speller No. 89, Aishwarya PastapurThe State Journal-Register, Springfield, IllinoisAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Glenwood Middle SchoolHometown: Springfield, Illinois

Aishwarya, a voracious reader and dedicated student, has participated in university talentsearches and scholastic bowl competitions. As team captain, she was instrumental in leading herMathcounts team to state-level competition by winning first place in county-level competitiontwo years in a row. Her role model is Amelia Earhart because "she followed her passion anddreams no matter what anyone said." Aishwarya represented the Topeka Journal in the 2006 and2007 national finals.

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Speller No. 97, Vaibhav VavilalaThe Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, IndianaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Creekside Middle SchoolHometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Vaibhav puts his energy into math, sports, and music. This year he advanced to the stateMathcounts competition for the second time and helped his team earn fourth place. He enjoysplaying football, basketball, and tennis with his friends. He is studying violin at school as wellas learning Indian classical music. Vaibhav participated in the 2005, 2007, and 2008 nationalfinals, tying for 17th place in 2008. His brother, Vikas, participated in the 2006 national finals.

Speller No. 103, Kennyi AouadThe Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, IndianaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Otter Creek Middle SchoolHometown: Terre Haute, Indiana

Kennyi is a member of his school's Mathcounts team--a team that placed second inregional competition and also qualified for state competition. He plays clarinet in hisschool's band. Also, he loves to read: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by MarkTwain is his favorite book. Kennyi participated in the 2007 and 2008 national finals and is well-known for conquering the giggles to correctly spell sardoodledom in the 2007 Bee.

Speller No. 108, Shari-Jo MillerJamaica Gleaner, Kingston, JamaicaAge 19, 7th gradeSchool: Bishop Gibson High SchoolHometown: Mandeville PO, Manchester, Jamaica

Shari-Jo has diverse career interests. She is considering neurosurgery, or she may parlay herlove of drawing into work as a fashion designer or artist. She likes to read: Men in Black bySteve Perry is her favorite book. Also, she is a fan of the Jonas Brothers and Beyoncé. Her otherpastimes are surfing the Internet, socializing with friends, and watching television. Shari-Jo's best subject in school is Spanish.

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Speller No. 110, Kavya ShivashankarThe Olathe News, Olathe, KansasAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: California Trail Junior High SchoolHometown: Olathe, Kansas

Kavya enjoys practicing her violin, bicycling, swimming, and learning Indian classical dance.She names Nupur Lala, the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, as her role modeland the inspiration for her spelling career. She has plans for her future career as well: She looksforward to becoming a neurosurgeon. Kavya participated in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 nationalfinals--tying for 10th, 8th, and 4th place, respectively.

Speller No. 139, Sidharth ChandThe Oakland Press, Pontiac, MichiganAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Detroit Country Day SchoolHometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Sidharth enjoys competing. He participates in science fairs and plays competitive chess on hisschool's chess team. He is also on his school's soccer team. In his free time Sidharthlikes to read or play tennis. An avid philatelist, he has collected multiple stamps and postageitems from around the world. Sidharth enjoys all of his school courses, but he has the deepestappreciation for math and science. He would like to be a neurosurgeon. Sidharth placed secondin the 2008 national finals.

Speller No. 151, Brent HendersonThe Examiner, Independence, MissouriAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Moreland Ridge Middle SchoolHometown: Blue Springs, Missouri

Brent plays competitive soccer, swims for the Kansas City Blazers, and is a member of hisschool's cross-country and track teams. Brent is interested in music and plays trombone inhis school's jazz and eighth grade bands. He collects football cards and is a dedicated fanof the Missouri Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs. Brent's favorite football player is KurtWarner. Brent excels in math and would like to pursue an engineering career. Brentparticipated in the 2008 national finals.

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Speller No. 158, Tussah HeeraLas Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas, NevadaAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Home SchoolHometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Tussah loves to immerse herself in music. She plays piano and cello and often composes herown scores. Tussah placed first in the 2008 Nevada Music Teachers National Association juniorpiano competition and has soloed with several local orchestras. Her other interests range frombotany to Shakespeare. Tussah is fond of writing poems and prose. Her favorite sports are divingand swimming, and she admires the athletic achievements of Michael Phelps and Guo Jingjing.

Speller No. 159, Avvinash RadakrishnanNew Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester, New HampshireAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Academy of Science & DesignHometown: Nashua, New Hampshire

Avvinash is passionate about sports. He plays basketball, football, and baseball and enjoystaking part in a good kickball game. He is a devoted fan of the Yankees and Celtics.Avvinash's best subject in school is history, and he would like to pursue a career inbusiness. His sister, Anjithaa, participated in the 2007 national finals. This is Avvinash'sthird appearance in the national finals: He also competed in 2006 and 2008.

Speller No. 163, Michael SunThe Record and Herald News, Hackensack, New JerseyAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: West Brook Middle SchoolHometown: Paramus, New Jersey

Michael is a numismatist and a philatelist. He is interested in travel and dreams of visiting theplaces represented in his coin and stamp collections. Michael participates in DestinationImagiNation challenges and a variety of local mathematics competitions. He is also a memberof his school's jazz band. Michael's other interests include playing video games,riding his bike, and spending time with his friends. He hopes to pursue a career in science.

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Speller No. 168, Kevin DrewThe Buffalo News, Buffalo, New YorkAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Northview Home School AssociationHometown: Wellsville, New York

Kevin is interested in photography, cinematography, and the culinary arts. He also plays electricguitar and collects coins. Kevin's love of animals inspired him to adopt a rescue bordercollie and three cats. Kevin met Nolan Ryan during a recent trip to the National Baseball Hall ofFame. In addition to meeting interesting people, Kevin enjoys skateboarding and swimming. Hisfavorite school subject is math, and he wants to become a pharmacist.

Speller No. 169, Sriram HathwarThe Leader, Corning, New YorkAge 17, 3rd gradeSchool: Chemung Valley Montessori SchoolHometown: Painted Post, New York

Sriram has studied piano for five years and enjoys learning to play new hymns and prayersongs. He likes to swim, ice-skate, ski, and play basketball. In his spare time Sriram may befound reading books in the Harry Potter series or watching Tiger Woods on the putting green.Sriram participated in the 2008 national finals, when he was the youngest contestant in thehistory of the event.

Speller No. 170, Neetu ChandakFinger Lakes Times, Geneva, New YorkAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: Seneca Falls Middle SchoolHometown: Seneca Falls, New York

Neetu excels in math and music. She has participated in a regional math competition and playedclarinet in an all-county band concert. Neetu's favorite pastimes include badminton,basketball, hiking, and swimming. She collects coins and rocks and also speaks Hindi. Neetuaspires to become an architect or interior designer. This is Neetu's third consecutiveappearance in the national finals.

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Speller No. 181, Zachary ZagorskiLong Island Jewish World, Rockville Centre, New YorkAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Oceanside Middle SchoolHometown: Oceanside, New York

A Life Scout and assistant senior patrol leader in his Boy Scout troop, Zachary also serves asthe secretary/treasurer of his local Order of the Arrow chapter. He is an advocate and volunteerfor Mothers Against Drunk Driving and volunteers for the New York Blood Center as juniorcoordinator of the annual "Hike for Life" event. His summer pastime of choice ischeering for the New York Mets. Zachary tied for 17th place in the 2008 national finals.

Speller No. 183, Siraj SindhuWatertown Daily Times, Watertown, New YorkAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Case Middle SchoolHometown: Watertown, New York

Siraj's interests include academics, sports, and video games. He won his school'soverall achievement award for academics in seventh grade. He is active in his school'shistory club and is the treasurer of its student council. In addition to holding a red belt in TaeKwon Do, Siraj plays basketball and runs track and field.

Speller No. 200, Tino DelamercedWCPO-TV Channel 9, Cincinnati, OhioAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: The Summit Country Day SchoolHometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

A nationally ranked chess player, Tino was just a second grader when he beat a grandmasterduring a simultaneous chess exhibition. He recently took home first place in the CincinnatiScholastic Chess Series--in the high school division. Musically inclined, Tino plays clarinet andis an accomplished pianist. He regularly volunteers his time playing piano for the residents of anursing home. His sister, Anna, tied for 25th place in the 2008 national finals.

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Speller No. 201, Anamika VeeramaniThe Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OhioAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: Incarnate Word AcademyHometown: North Royalton, Ohio

Anamika takes private lessons in violin, Indian classical music, dance, and golf. She has wonseveral regional and national awards in science, math, essay-writing, and vocabulary contests.Anamika aspires to attend Harvard Medical School, where she hopes to specialize incardiovascular surgery. She would like to author books in her spare time.

Speller No. 204, Nicholas RushlowLancaster Eagle-Gazette, Lancaster, OhioAge 19, 5th gradeSchool: Harmon Middle SchoolHometown: Pickerington, Ohio

Nicholas is a competitive, year-round swimmer in a USA Swimming club. Last summer he wonthe Tri-County championship in the 25-meter backstroke for 9-10 year olds. Nicholas is in hisfifth year of violin instruction with Suzuki Music Columbus. He has also studied jazzimprovisation, and he loves to fiddle. Nicholas is an avid collector and builder of anything Lego,and his favorite vacation spot is Legoland.

Speller No. 218, Connor Aberl?</Portland Tribune, Portland, OregonAge 21, 7th gradeSchool: Home SchoolHometown: Portland, Oregon

Connor has studied violin for five years, and his skill earned him a scholarship to the AspenMusic Festival School. He also enjoys composing music, skiing, traveling, and performingimprovisational comedy. He holds a green belt in Tae Kwon Do. In his spare time Connor canbe found working on authoring a series of five books or designing his own video games. Hewould like to turn one of these two hobbies into a career.

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Speller No. 231, Sukanya RoyTimes Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaAge 20, 6th gradeSchool: Abington Heights Middle SchoolHometown: South Abington, Pennsylvania

Sukanya is musically inclined and has played piano for almost four years. She also enjoys rock-climbing and roller-skating. She takes classes in karate and holds an orange belt. In her sparetime Sukanya may be found exploring the woods or reading and writing fiction stories. Shehopes to someday become an author.

Speller No. 239, Keiko BridwellHerald-Journal, Spartanburg, South CarolinaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Florence Chapel Middle SchoolHometown: Woodruff, South Carolina

A seasoned musician, Keiko has played piano for five years and plays flute in her school'shonors band. She is also an active member of her church and has participated in a universitytalent search. Her other hobbies include working as her school's yearbook editor andcollecting dolphin and bee items. She is named after Keiko Abe, a famous Japanese marimbaplayer. Keiko participated in the 2006, 2007, and 2008 national finals, tying for 17th place in2008.

Speller No. 249, Akshay RaghuramAmarillo Globe-News, Amarillo, TexasAge 18, 6th gradeSchool: Bonham Middle SchoolHometown: Amarillo, Texas

Akshay plays violin and piano and is a member of his school's advanced orchestra. Heenjoys math and science and has participated in state Mathcounts and Texas Alliance forMinorities in Engineering competitions. He is also a member of the Junior Amarillo SwimTeam. Akshay's favorite sport is tennis, which he often practices on his Nintendo Wii. Hewould like to become a surgeon. Akshay's sister, Anjali, participated in the 2005 and 2008national finals.

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Speller No. 251, Mouctika PaluriThe Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TexasAge 21, 8th gradeSchool: Creek Valley Middle SchoolHometown: Carrollton, Texas

Mouctika plays violin and is a member of her school's concert orchestra. She enjoysperforming Kuchipudi Indian dance, which she has been studying for two years. In her sparetime she likes running, playing with her little brother, playing games, and listening to music onher iPod. Erin McCarley is her favorite artist. Mouctika participated in the 2007 and 2008national finals, tying for 25th place in 2008.

Speller No. 255, Aditya ChemudupatyHoustonPBS, Houston, TexasAge 20, 7th gradeSchool: Nolan Ryan Junior High SchoolHometown: Pearland, Texas

Aditya credits his "reading habit" for his spelling skills: His idea of a pleasantafternoon might include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a book like his favorite novel,Brisingr. A flutist in his school's wind ensemble, Aditya is also learning Indian classicalmusic and studying violin. His life ambition is to either play flute professionally or become amarine biologist.

Speller No. 270, Andrew TraylorThe News-Virginian and The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VirginiaAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (P.E.A.C.H.)Hometown: Staunton, Virginia

Andrew's talent for the written word garnered him second place nationally in the Veteransof Foreign Wars Patriot's Pen essay contest in 2008. He aspires to be published as anauthor and a video game designer. Andrew volunteers his time in the television ministry at hischurch, directing and working sound and cameras. He is quite the advocate for coffee, ramennoodles, and burritos.

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Speller No. 276, Tim RuiterTimes Community Newspapers, Reston, VirginiaAge 20, 7th gradeSchool: NOVATAG-FairfaxHometown: Centreville, Virginia

A fan of science fiction and fantasy, Tim has devoted a lot of time to Star Wars, Star Trek, andThe Lord of the Rings. He's studied the character of Gollum enough to pull off a terrificimpression. Tim's team won the Virginia Regional Middle School Science Bowl, securingan opportunity to compete in the National Science Bowl in May. Tim's sciencebackground will help him as a future matriculant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,where he hopes to study physics or chemistry.

Speller No. 283, Eleanor RundeKOMO 4, KOMO 1000 Newsradio, STAR 101.5 & AM 570 KVI, Seattle, WashingtonAge 22, 8th gradeSchool: Lakeside Middle SchoolHometown: Seattle, Washington

Eleanor plays lacrosse, soccer, basketball, and volleyball and has been the proud recipient oftwo "Paul Robeson Scholar-Athlete" awards. She counts her mother as her rolemodel, declaring her mother "brilliant and talented." Eleanor puts her spare timetoward directing her own movies and hopes to someday get paid to make films, perhaps evenaward-winning productions like her favorite picture, Titanic.

THE 2009 SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEECHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

THURSDAY, MAY 268:00 P.M.LIVE ON ESPN

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2009 scripps national spelling bee finalists speller no. 7 ... · 2009 scripps national spelling...

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