Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2005

St. Ann's student wins Windward District bee

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — Nicole Kim of St. Ann's School correctly spelled "hypochondria" to cap a winning effort in last night's Windward District Spelling Bee at Le Jardin Academy.

Kim, 13, and runner-up Jonathan Lee of St. Anthony School advance to The Advertiser's 20th annual State Spelling Bee, to be held March 13 at Windward Community College. Eighteen students participated in last night's district bee.

Kim, 13, is the daughter of Nina and Michael Kim. Lee, 13, is the son of Vicky Harwell and stepson of Ray Harwell.

Kim appeared calm throughout the contest but later said she was very nervous but confident.

"My legs were wobbly," she said after the bee, adding that she and the other contestant from St. Ann's studied spelling for at least two hours a day since November.

Kim's mother, Nina, is originally from South Korea. She said that despite difficulty she has with English, she would work with her daughter on her spelling.

"Every night me and her practice," Nina Kim said. "Sometimes I feel sorry she can't understand what I say. I'm so proud of her."

Lee, who would spell the words with his finger on his name card before reciting it to the judges, said he enjoyed the competition and looks forward to doing better at the finals.

"I've been studying spelling since fourth grade. I just love spelling," Lee said.

The finalists will receive prizes from Sears, Island Heritage, Consolidated Theatres and Enjoy Snacks.

The State Spelling Bee champion will win two free trips to Washington to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May. The state winner also will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond from Jay Sugarman. Merriam-Webster will donate a Webster's Third New International Dictionary to the winner and a Merriam-Webster's College Dictionary to the runner-up.

The national contestants will compete for cash prizes ranging from $50 to $12,000.

Supporting sponsors in this year's competition are AIG Hawai'i, KFC, Burger King, 7-Eleven, CompUSA and Aloha Airlines, which is providing travel for Neighbor Island participants.

Other prize sponsors include Radio Shack, Dede and James Sutherland, the Hawai'i Court Reporters and Captioners Association, and Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.