(COMMENT BY BAHAMAS CHRONICLE EDITOR OSWALD T. BROWN: Introducing the Scripps National Spelling Bee to The Bahamas in 1998 when I was editor of The Nassau Guardian is an accomplishment that I am extremely proud of.)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Roy Seligman has made history. He is the first Bahamian representative to advance past the first round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The 12-year-old is one of 30 who will compete in the semifinals scheduled for June 27, and gunning to be among the top 10 to 12 hoping to advance to the in-person finals on July 8 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, The Nassau Guardian reported on Monday, June 21, in an article written by Shavaughn Moss.
Roy, a seventh-grade student at Lyford Cay International School (LCIS), is also the lone international contestant in the semis. The original field of 209 was whittled down to 30 during the quarterfinals on Tuesday, June 15.
He is among 11 males in the semis; 19 are female.
After surviving six rounds in the quarterfinals, Roy said to an LCIS school official that his advancing into the semis felt “surreal”.
“I feel grateful, proud and a bit relieved. Advancing to the highest levels of the competition has been my dream since I started spelling competitively. I am proud that I have been able to do that well, and show the world what we can do. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to represent The Bahamas again, and want to do that to the best of my ability,” said the three-time national champion.
Roy advanced out of round one and into the quarterfinals at the Scripps National Spelling Bee with the correct spelling of towhee – a towhee is one of a number of species of birds in the genus Piplio or Melozone within the family Passerellidae.
He was one of 138 spellers advancing out of the opening round, which saw 71 spellers eliminated.
Roy advanced past round two after answering that student was another word for educand. He was among 110 spellers advancing, with 28 spellers eliminated. See complete story in Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/roy-seligman-makes-history/?fbclid=IwAR3_sH1uON9u4tst4mOUazEvBYhM3EOKXs0uzgzSYMwBBCL7vkiB7j3guzs
