Great Salt Bay Community School eighth-grader Isaac Wyer reacts as Lincoln County Spelling Bee moderator Becky Cooper reads the word he had to spell to win the bee. The word, azalea, happens to be the name of Wyer’s new sister. (Maia Zewert photos)
With the correct spelling of azalea, Great Salt Bay Community School eighth-grader Isaac Wyer secured victory at the Lincoln County Spelling Bee for the second year in a row.
Wyer, along with nine other qualifiers from Bristol Consolidated School, Edgecomb Eddy School, GSB, Jefferson Village School, South Bristol School, and Southport Central School, participated in the bee at BCS on Thursday, Feb. 8. Parents, teachers, and friends crowded into a classroom to watch the event take place.
“It’s so nice to see a crowd this size for the spelling bee,” bee moderator and BCS teacher Becky Cooper said. “Spelling might not seem as glamorous as something like basketball, but it’s an important skill you will use throughout your life.”
Lincoln County Spelling Bee moderator and Bristol Consolidated School teacher Becky Cooper presents Isaac Wyer with a certificate for winning the bee Thursday, Feb. 8. (Maia Zewert photo)
During the bee, Cooper would read each word and either use it in a sentence or provide the definition. Once the student began spelling the word, they were not allowed to change any of the letters they had already spoken.
After five rounds of competition, only Wyer, fellow GSB student Harper Lilly, and JVS student Logan Heath remained. When Lilly and Heath incorrectly spelled despondency and jauntily, respectively, Wyer only needed to correctly spell one word to secure victory.
As Cooper read Wyer’s final word, his face spread into a smile as he began to spell the word.
“Azalea is my new sister’s name,” Wyer, of Pemaquid, said after the bee. “My dad’s going to be happy I spelled it right.”
Much as he did last year, Wyer studied packets of sample words and helpful hints, such as asking for a word’s language of origin. He said he also enjoys reading and studying words, which helped him prepare.
Great Salt Bay Community School fifth-grader Harper Lilly (center) stands with her brother and friends after placing second in the Lincoln County Spelling Bee on Thursday, Feb. 8. Front: Flynn Lilly. Back from left: Hanna Perce, Scarlett Stone, Harper Lilly, Vivian Burns, and Remy LeBel. (Maia Zewert photo)
Last year, Wyer took ninth place at the state bee. He said he was disappointed, and hopes to place higher this year.
“If I don’t win, I at least hope to do better,” he said.
Lilly secured second place with the correct spelling of the word claustrophobic. During the GSB bee, Wyer and fifth-grader Lilly had been deadlocked before Wyer emerged victorious.
“It’s by sheer luck I won both times,” Wyer said. “Harper is an extraordinary speller.”
Wyer will go on to represent Lincoln County in the Maine State Spelling Bee on March 24 at the University of Southern Maine. In the event he is unable to attend, Lilly will represent the county.
“It’s pretty cool and fun to participate,” Wyer said of competing in spelling bees. “You do end up learning a lot.”
