A Crossroads Christian Junior High School student is on his way to the Association for Christian Schools International State Spelling Bee.

Eighth-grader Matt Llanes, 13, recently beat out students from seven schools at the ACSI District Spelling Bee, taking first place and earning a spot at the state competition in Los Angeles.

If he places in the top four at the state competition - held later this month - Matt will travel to Washington, D.C., for the ACSI National Spelling Bee.

When asked if he thinks he can make to the national competition, Matt flashed a shy smile and looked away.

“Maybe,” he said.

The ACSI holds a spelling bee each year involving schools throughout the association. The competition begins with individual school “spell-offs.”

Matt has competed in the district competition “pretty much every year,” but this will only be his second round in the state competition.

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The first time Matt made it to state, he was in fifth grade.

“I got really close,” he said of qualifying for Nationals. “But, I got out on one of the unpublished words.”

Unpublished words are words not on the 20-page plus list given to each student in the bee to study and memorize beforehand.

The list contains such words as gouache, which is a painting technique using opaque water colors prepared with gum; nyctalopia, or, night blindness; and otorhinolaryngologist, otherwise known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

When asked if he ever feels nervous before a spelling bee, Matt said that his experience gives him the confidence he needs.

“For some people, they're probably nervous, but I'm used to being in front of crowds and stuff,” he said.

However, the one exception to this rule is the state bee.

“That one you get nervous at because it is the real big thing,” said Matt.

Though Matt may get a case of butterflies in his stomach, his principal is confident the young teen can handle the pressure.

“(Matt) is one of our brightest students,” said Sue Pruett. “He does very well in whatever he applies himself to.”

Aside from being an ace speller, Matt excels in math (his favorite subject), and is a stand-out on the school basketball team. He also plays club volleyball and competes in tennis tournaments through his country club.

For now, Matt said he is going to concentrate on preparing himself for the Feb. 23 state bee, with a simple strategy in mind.

“All you got to do is study and pray,” he said.

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santa

mariatimes.com

February 9, 2008