HELENA – Every year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee brings the best of the best from all over the world to Washington, D.C. to claim a vocab victory.
This year, Helena will be well-represented by word warrior Clara Harmon.
Clara has climbed the ranks at qualifying bees all over Montana, earning her spot in the big spelling showdown. It hasn’t been easy.
Being home-schooled, Clara has worked study time for the bee into her school day with her mom. But it can be a grind preparing for a competition of this level.
“There were days that we both kind of wanted to give up,” said Clara’s mom, Dianna. “But we knew what our goal was, and we wanted to keep pushing, and we did.”
And Clara did make it.
She and her whole family are headed to Maryland to enjoy the experience.
“I just want to have fun and get to know new people,” said Clara.
“She worked really hard,” added Dianna. “I’m really, really proud of her. And I knew even if she didn’t make it, it was going to be fine.”
Coverage for this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee starts on ESPN on Tuesday, May 28. The Finals are all day long on Thursday, May 30, on ESPN2. For more information, click here.
-Reported by Andrew Curtis/MTN News
