Forestview Middle School eighth-grader Nick Greatens had his moment of fame Thursday competing against 288 other students from around the world in the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Greatens, who won The Lakes Bee in February to qualify for the national spelling bee, was eliminated in the preliminary round after misspelling the word "cotyledon" by only one letter.
Greatens, 14, the son of Todd and Barbara Greatens of Nisswa, said in a telephone interview Thursday that he didn't expect to win the national spelling contest, but he was hoping to advance further.
"It was a good experience and I had a lot of fun," said Greatens. "I was the third speller out there in the oral round so being one of the first spellers made me nervous."
Greatens said the students spelled their word in front of a panel of 20 judges, an audience of close to a thousand people and "lots of media." He said there was no podium and only a free-standing microphone.
Nick Greatens, a Forestview Middle School eighth-grader, smiled after winning the Lakes Bee Feb. 23 at Washington Educational Services Building in Brainerd. Greatens lost in the preliminary round of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee May 28 in Washington, D.C.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Greatens said before the preliminary round the students completed a written round. He said there were 50 words and the judges chose what 25 words the students would spell. Greatens said there were easy words like "mustard" and harder words like "otorhinolaryngology" and "appaloosa."
Greatens said his family traveled to Washington, D.C., and they plan to come home on Sunday. He said they've been busy sightseeing and have visited the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the White House.
Greatens said he plans to watch the finals, which will air 7 p.m. Friday on ABC.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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