AMERICAN BEE
The National Spelling Bee and the Culture of Word Nerds

The Lives of Five Top Spellers As They Compete For Glory And Fame

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When Akshay Buddiga stepped up to face alopecoid late in the 2004 Spelling Bee, the pressure was taking its toll. He hadn't slept much the night before, and had hardly eaten that day. Too nervous. So his time at the mike proved arduous -- but he was up to the challenge. I remember the moment he fainted, about a dozen adults stood up to go help him. But Akshay soldiered on.