Posted on: Saturday, May 26, 2001

State spelling champ off to national bee

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

State spelling bee champion Matthew Won leaves today for the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Matthew, 14, will compete with 247 other students in the contest that runs from May 29 to 31. Joining Matthew are his parents, Reed and Angie, and spelling coach Jean Romjue.

Matthew, an Iolani School eighth-grader, said he prepared by practicing more than two hours a day. Does he think he has a chance to win?

"If I'm lucky, yeah, maybe. It's all about luck, what word you get," Matthew said.

Matthew said he is looking forward to his first visit to the nation's capital. He said he hopes to see the Smithsonian Institution.

In addition to the bee, Scripps Howard will treat the contestants to tours, parties and barbecues.

"They try to make it more than just the competition," the Kane'ohe resident said. Matthew's trip is sponsored by The Honolulu Advertiser.