Kavya Shivashankar Is Your 2009 National Spelling Bee Champion

Maybe it's my past of mild success in my middle school's spelling bee in, but there is something about the spelling bee that is so compelling and so dramatic and so fun to watch and this year was no different. The winner this year was Kavya Shivashankar, a 13-year old girl from Kansas who, I must admit, I tagged from the beginning to win this thing. Not only that, but with every word, her family in the background was hilarious to watch. And I think it's safe to say that during this moment, Kavya was indeed Laodicean....



Congrats to Kavya as it is quite apparent that she worked and studied hard to win, especially seeing as this was her 4th consecutive year in the National Bee, with her previous best finish being tying for 4th last year. The prize she won other than that trophy is over $40,000 in cash and prizes. If you did not see it last night, try to catch an ESPN re-air as they do do that over the next couple of days at various times. It's fun to watch and there is something about the competition that is so pure and so refreshing that once you start watching, you can't turn away from it.

So This Is Where The Nerd In Me Comes Out

It seems like yesterday, but I was once a finalist in the all-school spelling bee that would eventually lead up to the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. The reason I bring that up now is because tonight is the finals of this year's 2009 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee at 8:00 on ABC! And while I won't be watching it live because of the basketball game, I will watch the recording once the game is over (No spoilers during the live blog, please!). And because I have to get up early tomorrow and will be out for the morning and afternoon tomorrow, I don't know when I will be able to get the video of the winning moment up, but I will eventually get it up for your enjoyment, even if it is a little late tomorrow evening.