Spelling Bee students prepare for regional competition

B.C. students are preparing for Saturday's regional Spelling Bee of Canada championships.While thecompetition is tough, none of the participants seemed too worried.

"I'm eight-years-old and I'm in Grade 4.Iskipped a gradeso I think I can win this," said Ekjot Bhatia.

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He was among 161 primary students competingfor one of the 30 qualifying spots.

Participants have been preparing for months andin some interesting ways.

"Skittle spelling! If I get a word wrong mom gets to eat the Skittles," said eight-year-old Sydney Shirran, who travelled with her mother from Campbell River to compete.

'Win a big trophy'

The students didn't shy away from sharingtheir motivations for competing.

"I really want to win badly and win a big trophy and impress my dad," said seven-year-old Afsana Dosanjh.

For Bhatia it was more about the prize money, "I will go straight to Toys "R" Us and go findsomething good and buy it."

He and other competitors will take to the stage in front an auditorium full of proud parents.

"It is not just about spelling, it is about character building," said JasBhatia."How to be patient, wait for their turn and if they spell it wrong to cheer for their friends."

"I'm extremely proud," saidKalDosanjh."But more importantly, competition of this nature ispositivebecause it lets themexplore more avenues of themselves andshows the result of that commitment."

With files from the CBC's The Early Edition and Elaine Chau

To hear the full story listen to the audio labelled:Spelling Bee students prepare for regional competition