While most kids have pushed homework far from their minds, Clara Wicoff is still hitting the books.
Wicoff, 14, will help represent Kansas in the Scripps National Spelling Bee beginning Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
She’s been dedicating three to four hours a day spelling thousands of words. Starting today, she’ll push it to 12 hours.
“I’m best when I procrastinate and then cram,” she said of the practice that causes teachers to heave heavy sighs.
This is the third time for Wicoff to participate in the national bee. Last year she missed qualifying for the semi-final round by one slot. Out of a possible 41 contestants, Wicoff placed 42nd.
This year, 278 middle-schoolers are registered to compete.
Wicoff has her sights on qualifying for the semi-final round, but said she is realistic about making it any further.
“I’m not a big name at the Bee,” she said, referring to previous top contenders.
This is the final year Wicoff can compete in national competition.
WICOFF BEGAN winning school spelling bees when she was in second grade. She’s won the state bee in Great Bend three out of the five times she’s competed there.
It’s been a journey of hard work, sacrifice and dedication.
Wicoff uses various methods to help her study. Just this year she’s begun using “Nat’s Notes,” a two-volume book that lists 18,000 words.
“I can do about 1,100 words in an hour,” she said.
Wicoff said she writes each new word three times to help cement it in her memory.
