CHMS eighth-grader wins District 181 spelling bee
By Chuck Fieldman cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com February 9, 2012 7:02PM
Clarendon Hills Middle School eighth-grader Paul Cumberland won the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Spelling Bee on Feb. 9 at CHMS. | Chuck Fieldman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 17, 2012 8:12AM
Paul Cumberland was in familiar territory when the championship of the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 Spelling Bee came down to himself and Nick Speziale Feb. 9 at Clarendon Hills Middle School.
The two students were down the same road about a week earlier during a CHMS competition to represent that school in the District 181 Spelling Bee. Nick, a sixth-grader, finished on top in the CHMS competition, but Paul, an eighth-grader, took first place this time.
“I was thinking about, ‘what if it happens again?’” Paul said after winning. “I actually was less nervous this time. When you get up there in front of hundreds of other students, it’s kind of nerve-wracking, but we didn’t have everyone watching this time.”
By virtue of their first- and second-place finishes in the District 181 Spelling Bee, both Paul and Nick advance to the Feb. 21 DuPage County Spelling Bee at Lisle Junior High.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to go on and try to do well at state,” said Paul, who spelled fedora correctly to win the district spelling bee.
The District 181 Spelling Bee was to include two students each from CHMS, Hinsdale Middle School and Prospect School; the other six schools in the district do not participate. However, the expected field of six students competing for the district championship was reduced to five when HMS seventh-grader Francesca Halikias didn’t participate because of illness.
HMS eighth-grader Armen Haveric, along with Prospect’s Lia Fawley, a third-grader, and Emma Gordon, a fourth-grader, were eliminated from championship contention by misspelling words in the third round of competition. Lia was awarded third place by then winning a round of competition among the three.
“It was exciting,” said Lia, who wasn’t aware she would have an opportunity for additional competition after missing a word in the third round. “It was strange when three people missed words in the third round.”
Paul also thought it was strange. All three misses came before his turn in the third round.
“I was wondering what was going to happen,” he said of his turn.
Paul didn’t hesitate with a response when asked why he believes he is a good speller.
“I read a lot,” he said. “I like fantasy, especially Lord of the Rings.”
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