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What It Takes to Become a C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N

Spelling bee winners weigh in on dos and don'ts of success

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2008 7:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Prevailing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee isn't easy, say former contestants and winners, but it can change your life. "To be a champion, I think it takes a certain tenaciousness and a will to succeed, and that will pretty much take you far in anything," 1973 winner and MIT grad Barrie Trinkle tells USA Today. This year's bee is under way in DC and will have a winner by Friday.

Sarah Harmsworth, 13, of Corvallis, Mont., writes her word in the air during the third round of the Scripps 2007 Spelling Bee in Washington, Wednesday, May 30, 2007.
Sarah Harmsworth, 13, of Corvallis, Mont., writes her word in the air during the third round of the Scripps 2007 Spelling Bee in Washington, Wednesday, May 30, 2007.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Regina Danielle Bish, 13, of St. Catherine, Jamaica, waits to compete in the sixth round of the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Regina Danielle Bish, 13, of St. Catherine, Jamaica, waits to compete in the sixth round of the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington Thursday, May 31, 2007.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Evan M. O'Dorney, 13, of San Ramon, Ca., accepts his trophy after he won the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington with the word serrefine on Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Evan M. O'Dorney, 13, of San Ramon, Ca., accepts his trophy after he won the 2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington with the word "serrefine" on Thursday, May 31, 2007.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Andrew Lay, 12, of Stanley, N.C., is in shock after correctly spelling the word negus during the fifth round of the Scripps 2007 Spelling Bee in Washington, Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Andrew Lay, 12, of Stanley, N.C., is in shock after correctly spelling the word "negus" during the fifth round of the Scripps 2007 Spelling Bee in Washington, Thursday, May 31, 2007.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
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Good bee for Minnesota this year
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Even money that the winner will wear glasses
BetUs.com

 
spelling bee

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