Can you spell desuetude? What about daguerreotype? Or epicurean?
These were just some of the challenging words that defeated dozens of participants in the 3rd annual Adult Spelling Bee over the weekend, hosted by Justin Rudd and his Community Action Team. Any adult over 16 years of age was welcome to participate, and while contestants were surprised by words like electroencephalograph and axolotl, the most shocking word to most was “elimination.”
Organizer Justin Rudd and pronouncer Kate Karp look on.
Janice Davis of Garden Grove took home the 2008 championship after correctly spelling decoupage and isinglass. Davis was awarded $1,000 with $500 going to Set Free Christian Ministries, her favorite charity. Pacific Grove’s David Riddle was awarded second prize, and Michael Petrina of Arlington, Virginia, third.
by Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor
Third place competitor Michael Petrina