[chajin]

I would be interested to see a study of spelling bee winners over the last few decades -- just to see what they had accomplished later in life.

Here's one:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-1985-spelling-champion-20150520-story.html

[Alberta's Child]

"Every year, four of the students there for the spelling bee were selected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," he said. "They called to ask me to participate, and I said 'no,' without asking a parent. I decided I didn't need that distraction."

I suspect the four kids who took up this offer ended up being better citizens at the end of the day.