[politicket]

Check out some of the words these kids are spelling during live Round 3 action: Round 3.

Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan was the first to drop out during the third round. She is sponsored by the Boulder Daily Camera here in my state of Colorado. This is a big surprise since it is her third time participating at the National Bee and she studies year round with special internet spelling groups.

Hopefully she will now relax and enjoy the rest of her stay in Washington, D.C. Last year, her parent had her stay in her hotel room studying the whole time.

My son represented Colorado last year and was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain News. We took full advantage of all of the sightseeing trips that were offered and had a GREAT time!

[American Quilter]

Last year, her parent had her stay in her hotel room studying the whole time.

Maybe that's why she misspelled a word early this year--so she could enjoy herself. Sounds like she has "stage parents".

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Last year, her parent had her stay in her hotel room studying the whole time.

While I can appreciate the parents' attempt to keep the child focussed, this seems like overkill. I travel with our kids to various athletic and scholastic events and help keep them focussed.... but NOT "locked up" and totally isolated.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

My son represented Colorado last year and was sponsored by the Rocky Mountain News. We took full advantage of all of the sightseeing trips that were offered and had a GREAT time!

Congratulations. What an accomplishment.

[Rte66]

I'm thinking that the children of Indian-from-India extraction have to learn to spell in self-defense. Think about the first time they have to sign their own names to their papers in kindergarten or before. Yikes!

[luckystarmom]

How did your son get involved? Was it through his school?

I would love to get my kids involved.

[metmom]

We're Spelling Bee'ers, also. 2001.

You're right, it was lots of fun.