| Maybe you didn't catch the exciting Cecil Floyd Spelling Bee on Wednesday. If you didn't, you missed an anxiety-filled event with plenty of suspense. Fourteen contestants took their turns spelling randomly-drawn words from three lists (fourth, fifth, and sixth grade words) provided by The Joplin Globe. The final three contestants were all fourth-grade boys, the champion of which (a current Hoggatteer!) is pictured in the slide show here (right) after winning with a "proof" word: | |
 | m - y - s - t - e - r - i - o - u - s What people may not have noticed was the final moment backstage, when this young man chased down the runner-up to congratulate him. The last picture, most revealing of his attitude of thoughtfulness, sportsmanship, and outlook on life. I am so glad that this happened within the view of the camera which was still operating after the bee. After catching up to the other boy, there was more than congratulating to be done. His embrace in the shadows included consolation, as well...and that is more important to me than winning. |
