VOGEL COMPETED AT NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Holland Vogel, of Lake Wilson, recently competed at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Vogel qualified for the national level competition after winning the grades five through eight spelling bee at MCC in January and then earning first place at the regional spelling bee in Redwood Falls in February.

“I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the national spelling bee,” said 14-year-old Vogel. “When I had time, I read through some of the provided word lists.”

The National Spelling Bee was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Two hundred forty-five spellers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Department of Defense Schools in Europe, Canada and Ghana participated in the bee. Nine youth from Minnesota participated in the spelling contest.

Having launched in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program.

The competition began with preliminary spelling rounds on May 28, continued with the quarterfinals and semifinals on May 29 and concluded with the finals on May 30.

“It was intense because you got up there and there was a panel of judges in front of you and the cameras were on you. There were also other spellers behind you, waiting to see if you’re going to spell your word right,” said Vogel. “I was just really nervous and scared because I didn’t know what word I would get or if I’d know it,” said Vogel.

Vogel successfully spelled her way through the first two rounds but missed spelling the word deckle in the third round.

For Vogel, an eighth grader, this was her last year of eligibility at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. However, Vogel was grateful for the opportunity to compete.

“Always take advantage of opportunities and try to meet new people,” said Vogel, who is the daughter of Joanna and Mark Vogel.