April 14, 2023 |
Photo – Left to Right: Cooper Smith, Helen Feagin, and Tye Tanachion – Courtesy Western Wyoming Community College
A student from Carbon County School District #2 is bound for the national spelling bee in Washington, DC.
Saratoga Middle/High School student Cooper Smith beat out a field of around 25 other competitors earlier this month to become the Wyoming State Spelling Bee champion. His winning word was “Evaporation.” Smith said he had a great time during the competition.
With his victory, the 12-year-old is heading to Washington D.C to participate in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Held at the Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs, the Wyoming State Spelling Bee occurred on April 1st. Smith said he practiced with his parents to prepare for the state competition. The winning speller said he had an enormous list of words to memorize.
Smith admitted he didn’t commit the entire list to memory. Apparently, his preparations paid off, though. Smith won the $4,000 cash prize. He said the prize money will be used to fly him and his family to our nation’s capital at the end of May. Smith said his family and friends are thrilled by his victory.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee brings the best lexicographers from across the county to compete on the national stage. Smith said he knows his competition will be fierce. He said he’ll spend just about all his free time, between now and the competition, practicing.
When he isn’t poring over his dictionary, Smith said he enjoys playing video games on his PlayStation 5.
Smith will compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. The event is held from May 30th to June 1st. The winner takes home a $50,000 cash prize.
