May 25th, 2017

Akshansh Ajay Kumar is leaving Doon Public School for the hustle and bustle Washington DC; at least temporarily.

Akshansh is competing in the National Spelling Bee this weekend. He’s one of only three students from Ontario to reach the international competition and the only WRDSB student.

His journey to Washington started with a spelling bee at Doon Public School, where he competed against his Grade 6 classmates. Akshansh and two other students, Isabela and Alissa, then travelled to London, Ontario over March break after securing a spot in the regional competition of The Big Spelling Bee, organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Akshansh kept his cool at the regional qualifier and spelled all of his words correctly, guaranteeing him a trip to Washington.

Doon PS will be watching and cheering for Akshansh as he competes live on TV next week on May 31 and June 1.

Congratulations Akshansh, we’re so e-x-c-i-t-e-d to watch you at the National Spelling Bee.

Below is a first-hand account of Akshansh, Isabela and Alissa’s experiences at their school competition and The Big Spelling Bee in London.

Isabela

The spelling bee started with class-wide spelling bees, with everyone worrying about the outcome. The whole day I wasn’t nervous until we started. When the words started to be announced I started to think that my chance was small. I could feel that everyone was also nervous and there was great tension in the air.

After several rounds, the two class winners were announced and I had made it. Just then, somebody had stated that the teacher read his word wrong and the competition was on again. The next word was ‘legitimately’ and I was the only one to spell it correctly. I was secured a spot in the school-wide competition!

When second place was announced I could only think of the school-wide competition, I was so excited!

Alissa

It was time for the school spelling bee, and only 10 people were there for the competition (two people from each Grade 6 class). I could see that everybody in the gym was buzzing with excitement but also very worried about what would happen. The other Grade 6’s came in with excitement to watch the competition, all of our friends were watching.

We all started to get ready for the words to be announced. The first person went and I was already feeling nauseous. It kept getting closer to me and it was almost my turn. It was the person before me and my heart started to beat faster and faster and the person before me finished so it was my turn.

I finally went and my word was ‘caterpillar’ and I got it right! So the competition went on and I was in the top three so I had a spot in London!

Akshansh (at regionals in London)

I walked into Building D with fear rushing through me. I went to a man at a table, he handed me a name tag with Doon Public School on it. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I walked into the auditorium with high hopes. I walked to the very last row and sat down. I had been calm the whole day, the whole week, but when I was there I tried to act calm but I couldn’t. I knew the others would notice so I took a few deep breaths and I eventually calmed down. I saw some other kids practicing in the corner, suddenly they called us up to the stage. The adrenaline started rushing through me again.

As I was walking to the stage my cousin stopped me and said one thing: be the word. It was with this advice that I went to the stage. Many things came to mind as I sat in my chair waiting. The first few rounds really flew by; I don’t even remember the words now. Before long, it was down to two people, me and Alissa. My final word came ‘swineherd.’ “S-w-i-n-e-h..” uh oh, how does it end? ” E-r-d.” I waited for the judge’s response. It felt like a lifetime. “That’s correct!” she exclaimed. I had done it! I had gotten the word right! In less than an hour, the competition was over. The announcer asked me to come over and he handed me a booklet, it showed me the details. In it, it said that I get to go on to Washington DC for the finals. That day was one of the best days. Now on to Washington!