OC spelling champ Katelyn Nguyen heads to the Scripps National Spelling Bee
Thirteen-year-old Katelyn Nguyen, a seventh grader from Helen Stacey Middle School, is set to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee after securing her spot by correctly spelling “discretionary” in the regional competition. Making history as the first student from the Westminster School District to advance to the nationals, Nguyen is eager to represent Orange County on the national stage.
Nguyen’s journey into competitive spelling began during a Zoom class meeting due to the pandemic when she was in fourth grade. Winning virtual spelling bees at the district level sparked her interest, leading her to continue competing in sixth and seventh grade. While her family plays a vital role in her preparation by helping her study and practice pronunciations, Nguyen admits to feeling nervous as the competition approaches.
With 245 other spellers vying for a $50,000 cash prize and the prestigious Scripps Cup, Nguyen is determined to stay confident and focused. The pressure of the competition is not lost on her or her family, who see this as a valuable learning experience. Despite the nerves, Nguyen finds joy in the challenge and the opportunity to showcase her skills on a national platform.
As the Scripps National Spelling Bee, now in its 96th year, draws closer, Nguyen hopes to avoid stumbling on words like Parmentier, describing the challenge of pronunciation not matching the spelling. With anticipation building, Nguyen and her family are excited to explore Washington, D.C., and make the most of their time in the nation’s capital.
The stage is set for Katelyn Nguyen to shine as she competes in a competition that draws millions of viewers each year. Her dedication, hard work, and support from her family have brought her to this moment, and as she heads to Washington, D.C., Nguyen is ready to spell her way to success and make Orange County proud.