I just watched a kid pass out at the National Spelling Bee.

[Scout1071]

I'm thinking that they might be under a little bit too much pressure. Seems like at least one kid passes out every year.

I swear it looks like each kid is going to cry or melt down with each word.

[LizW]

1. Oh, god, I HATE the spelling bee!

My son is a good speller, and every year I have to suffer that horrifying torture.

So far he hasn't gone past the local level, but that is bad enough. If he went further, I'd have to be medicated.

He is unfazed. It doesn't make him nervous at all.

[Scout1071]

2. I can't believe it's still featured on my TV right now.

Must look away!

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. My Daughter participated in the National Spelling Bee in 2002, Speller 107

No passing out...she was just delighted to be there. Looking back, it almost seems surreal. ESPN runs reruns of past Spelling Bees because the National Spelling Bee is always the week of Memorial Day in late May/early June. It is a memory I will cherish forever, as will she. She was out relatively early but that just gave us more time for sightseeing. These kids make lifelong friends and get to see a lot of Washington D.C. that many of us will never see. It's actually a great program. :hi:

[Scout1071]

5. Oh MrsG, I realize there are a lot of positives for most kids.

I'm just saying that it seems like a few of them just might be pushed a little further than they should at that age.

But, I'm sure there are some really great things.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. I guess I meant it's not how it looks. The week is a blast, and it's kind

of like how I used to faint from time to time when I sang on the stage in choir...all the lights, the cameras...it's kind of freaky...my tummy felt all squirmy when my daughter was participating too. :hi:

[hfojvt]

4. you just never know

when you are going to be asked to spell omphaloskepsis. OTOH that would be pretty easy, it is spelled the way it sounds, except "c" or "k", and "f" or "ph". Aaaaaauuuggh :banghead:

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. My daughter went out on "Amaryllis". In honor of her "big booboo" her

eighth grade class chose the amaryllis as their graduation flower. ;) :hi: She's made a lot of lemonade out of that televised lemon.

[hfojvt]

10. Amaryllith is a flower?

I thought it was the name of a little girl in The Music Man.

[HEyHEY]

6. Did you start chanting "Loser...loser"

[Beware the Beast Man]

9. I think they should add run-ins to their repertoire.

Steel chairs and all. Somebody call Vince McMahon!