For weeks, Yad B. Bass has been awaiting the opportunity to continue his winning ways at the 2012 National Scripps Spelling Bee scheduled for May 29 – 31 in Washington, D.C. The 11-year old sixth grader at Ricardo Richards Elementary School (intermediate multi-age classroom IMAC) won the V.I. Spelling Bee Championship on March 9 in competitions held on St. Thomas. Making his first entry in spelling bees this year, he placed fourth in the St. Croix Spelling Bee contest qualifying him as a finalist for the territorial competition.
Thus, IMAC classmates held a big send off for him Friday by assisting Yad with difficult words during a spelling challenge. IMAC classmates of 4th to 6th graders attempted to spell words that might stump Bass. Paulina Croskey and Jenelle Parris are co-teachers in the school’s IMAC program.
At school recently Yad was asked about his motivation and inspiration. “It’s my mom, Avis Bass,” he said without hesitating. “She has been encouraging me to practice and read a lot in preparation (for the National Spelling Bee).” Yad also credited his coach Karen Rene-Bess with doing a superb job in preparing him for the national spelling contest.
In prospect though, asked if he was prepared for the national contest: “By the grace of God,” remarked Yad, a member of his church youth group who wants to be a preacher. He then mildly excused himself to climb a set of stairs leading to a quiet room for one and one practice session with his coach.
Yad will enter the National Spelling Bee competition as Speller No. 251 in a field of 278 spellers. During Round One on Tuesday, May 29 he will sit at a computer spelling test taken by all spellers. Scores form the test will be combined with the results of preliminary Rounds Two and Three to determine the Bee’s semifinalists. All 278 spellers will spell onstage during rounds two and three on Wednesday, May 30. About 50 spellers will advance to the semifinals on Thursday, May 31.
Yad, his mom and a sister, Language Arts Coordinator Cheryl-Jerimiah Ambrose and Coach Rene-Bess will leave St. Croix Sunday for the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
The Virgin Islands Daily News Is the proud sponsor of local spelling bees.
