Dunedin teen claims national spelling crown

George Sabonadiere with the New Zealand Spelling Bee trophy. Photo supplied
George Sabonadiere with the New Zealand Spelling Bee trophy. Photo supplied
A year nine pupil from Logan Park High School in Dunedin has today become the New Zealand Spelling Bee champion, picking up a $5000 prize into the bargain.

George Sabonadiere (13) won the national battle of the words by correctly spelling the word ‘eugenics'. The word means ‘improvement of the qualities of race by control of inherited characteristics.'

Another Dunedin pupil, Alex Leckie-Zaharic from John McGlashan College, came in third. Russell Eskildsen from Massey High School in Auckland was second.

George's win came after 12 rounds against 15 finalists from around the country, and he is the fifth male winner over the past ten years.

In round 12 and with only two contestants left, George had the crown in his sights. His last opponent, Russell, had to spell his next word correctly to knock him from the title contention, but stumbled on ‘toreador', meaning ‘bullfighter'.

"I'm surprised I've won!" says George. "I didn't do all that well in the heats so I wasn't expecting much. Also the competition was really strong."

George, a keen fencer, had spent many hours poring over the dictionary in preparation for the event.

"I like spelling. I really enjoy words and their language of orgin. I study other languages and I'm always interested in word meanings."

 

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