Haile student makes buzz at Scripps National Spelling Bee

MANATEE COUNTY — Haile Middle School student Vincent Franco has a knack for words — particularly for how to spell them.

And from June 2-4, the Country Creek resident represented his school and the East County during the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Vincent and his parents, Helene and Bob Franco, arrived in the capital June 1 to meet other contestants and prepare for the three-day competition.

“It was fun,” Vincent said. “I liked meeting everyone that came from all over the world, really.”

Vincent, who made it to round three of the competition, said he was disappointed he didn’t make it further but was thrilled with the overall experience.

“It was really fun to go to nationals and see how it was done,” Vincent said. “It was fun to spell on stage and see how it was taped.”

In addition to the competition, Vincent and his family also took time to visit sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and Arlington Cemetery.

“All the stuff I learned in history class this year,” Vincent said. “At every corner, there was something historical there. It was pretty cool.”

Vincent first participated in a spelling bee as a sixth-grader at his church, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Community. There, Vincent advanced to a state-level competition.

“I wanted to try again, so I tried my school spelling bee,” Vincent said.

Vincent placed second in his grade level during Haile’s mandatory school-wide spelling bee that year, fighting to stay on stage as long as he could as his language arts teacher Dana Mills had instructed.

“I also wanted to see if I could win — if I had a chance,” he said.

When the spelling bee came around again his seventh-grade year, Vincent emerged as the school champion. However, without a spelling bee sponsor, Vincent was unable to advance.

This year, Vincent wasn’t convinced he’d win again. But in late January, he reclaimed his school title as Haile’s spelling champion.

After the victory, Vincent kept records of every word he misspelled and practiced with teachers and schoolmates after school. His win at the district-level competition qualified him for nationals, thanks to the sponsorship of Coastal Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Because the Scripps competition is open only to middle school students, Vincent now plans to help other students with dreams of becoming a spelling bee champion through the schools’ Bee Club, which formed May 7.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].