Student Wins Back-to-Back Bees

Morristown-Beard seventh grader Amogh Anakru ’17 captured his second back-to-back Middle School Consortium spelling bee title.

Described by Director of Communications Steve Patchett as “as humble and unassuming as they come” and barely able to see over the podium at Morning Meeting. 

Amogh captured his second Consortium spelling bee championship this winter at Delbarton after disposing of the competition in five rounds.  He didn’t miss a single word, and he spelled ‘chassis’ correctly to seal the victory.

“French words are always challenging, but I’ve taken a semester of French, so that has helped me learn the rules,” he said.

While this year’s win was exciting, Amogh’s victory in the spelling bee two years ago remains the stuff of legend, Patchett said in a press release.  As a sixth grader, Amogh went head-to-head with an eighth grader from Morris Catholic for 23 grueling rounds before emerging victorious by spelling the word ‘sputnik.’

The entire Morristown Beard School team also did extremely well that year, taking top honors in the competition.  After the victory, Amogh was typically gracious at Morning Meeting, calling attention to his teammates, Ben Schreiber ’15 and Maggie Collier ’15, and faculty coach Holly Darby rather than himself, the press release stated.

“Amogh is a voracious reader and he has a knowledge beyond his years.  He’s also very humble and kind.  It’s a pleasure to work with him,” said Middle School English teacher Holly Darby.  

Darby is now helping to prepare Amogh for his next challenge – the New Jersey regional competition in mid-March leading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. 

During fifth period, Amogh can be found in Mrs. Darby’s room, reviewing vocabulary words and receiving tips and strategy. “I look at the pronunciation of the word, I practice spelling it, and I try to understand the root of a word,” said Amogh.  “I don’t want to be blind-sided by the judges.”

During a spelling bee, Amogh says he is often nervous before the competition, but he frequently calms down by the second round.  He also uses various techniques to help himself focus and recall words.

“Amogh is an arm-speller,” said Darby.  “He pretends to write the word by spelling letters on his arm.  It’s a technique that helps to trigger a memory.  Amogh has a photographic memory.”

When he is not busy reviewing his spelling, Amogh participates in the activities and classes of a typical Morristown-Beard Middle School student.  He especially enjoys math and science classes, and he has a knack for performing.  He had a few scene-stealing moments in last year’s musical, “How to Eat Like a Child,” and he is also an aspiring violinist.  Amogh practices and performs regularly as part of the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra.

“The orchestra is nice because you don’t always have to be in the spotlight.  If you mess up, other people can cover for you,” says Amogh.

‘Messing up’ is not something Amogh does often, however. Darby and Amogh are both quietly confident that he will perform well in the New Jersey regional spelling bee.

“I have no doubt that Amogh will be among the top spellers.  He’s studying very hard now,” said Darby.  “The great thing about Amogh is that he makes a game out of it.  It’s not about drudgery – it’s about playing with words.”

As Amogh practices in Darby’s room, his classmates frequently cheer him on as they walk down the hall.

“It’s nice to have their support,” says Amogh.  “I never let it go to my head, of course.”