Covering the Roosevelt County regional spelling bee this weekend made me feel like a proud parent. Every time a child spelled a word correctly, I wanted to golf clap in my chair.
Every time a child was knocked out of a round, I wanted to let them know that they were extraordinary for even participating and that this loss is not an end. It feels good to know that even in the days of spell check, these young kids still value something as fundamental as spelling.
There was this ambition in their eyes as they looked out into the crowd, not just from a competitive nature but from knowing opportunities like these put them on the radar. They know at a young age that they’re elite, that a chance at a $500 scholarship to ENMU in the fourth grade is just a start.
I just hope that doesn’t fade away. Right now they’re at a point where smart is still cool, but that avenue may change. I was a smart kid but rough around the edges and after I lost my way, I turned it around and dominated like I always should have. They don’t need to stray from the path they’re on, I hope these kids know they’re nothing short of amazing.
Christina Calloway writes for Freedom New Mexico, and writes humor in her spare time. Write her at firstname.lastname@example.org or on Facebook to make suggestions of what she can do in Portales since she’s new.