PG Student Returns in Bid to Win Scripps National Spelling Bee

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A Prince George’s County student is among 285 spellers competing for the title of 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion.

The preliminary rounds began Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, and continue through Wednesday afternoon.

Tamya Michelle Matthews, 13, an eighth-grader at Mount Calvary Catholic School in Forestville, is representing Prince George’s County in the competition for the second year in a row. Her sponsor is The Gazette & The Star.
Tamya’s profile on the spelling bee website says:

“Tamya loves television, and she has a habit of binge-watching Netflix. In one weekend, Tamya finished all four seasons of Bob’s Burgers, and she has a hard time turning off her favorite show,Modern Family. Tamya is also very focused on academics, and this fall she will be a Moreau scholar at her high school. In addition to playing basketball and softball, Tamya has earned a black belt in kung fu, and she loves drama and theater. An active participant in her school’s drama program, Tamya aspires to act professionally. Tamya previously participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2014.”

The spellers’ favorite words include flibbertigibbet,onomatopoeia, schadenfreude, syzygy, tchotchke and triskaidekaphobia.

Semifinalists will be announced late Wednesday afternoon, and broadcast live on ESPN3.

Semifinals competition is set for Thursday morning, with the championship round to be held Thursday evening. ESPN will broadcast the finals lives starting at 8 p.m. ET.

»Photo of Tamya Michelle Matthews, of Forestville, courtesy of Mark Bowen/Scripps National Spelling Bee

SEE ALSO:

• Annapolis Student Competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee
• Montgomery Student Competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee