Kerry Close Wins!
Congratulations to Kerry Close for her fantastic performance in winning the National Spelling Bee. I was very happy to see her hold the trophy aloft — she deserves it.
I got to know Kerry and her family because she’s one of the five spellers I profiled in American Bee. Her story is remarkable. She first earned a spot at Nationals at the tender age of 9, so this was the 13-year-old’s fifth year there. She kept her eye on the prize through each of those years, working month after month. She’s proof that intelligence combined with very hard work (and supportive parents) can achieve great things.
Way to go Kerry!