Event: National Spelling Bee qualifier
Location: Macomb Center for the Performing Arts
Time: 1-6PM ET
NOTE: The winner will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 28-30.
Terry Britton, the father of last year’s Macomb County spelling champion Nathaniel, dispensed advice that many golfers have heard.
Like a golfer focusing on beating the course instead of his opponents, Terry Britton said, “I told Nate that your competition is the dictionary, that’s what you focus on.”
Nate said he will take the suggestion to heart in the 13th annual Macomb Daily Regional Spelling Bee on Sunday at the Macomb Center for Performing Arts in Clinton Township.
“I will try to not worry about how I’m doing but want to focus on spelling the words,” he said. “Ultimately, it comes down to the words in the dictionary.”
As a fifth-grader last year, Nate was the youngest county champion in the bee’s 12-year history. He will again represent Peace Lutheran School in Shelby Township.
“The biggest challenge will be the pressure,” Nate said. “Everybody is expecting you to win because you’ve won before. I will try to pray and be calm. I think I’ll be fine when I get on the stage.”
Seventy-five students from schools throughout the county will compete after winning their school bee (four alternates are participating).