From A to bee: Spelling champs shine at DHiE Expressions

DHIE Expressions 2024, co-powered by Pilot and supported by Wonderla Parks & Resorts and Poorvika Mobiles as associate sponsors, provided a platform of linguistic celebration and intense competition.

Words like collation, gregarious, lenticular, and emollient took centre stage at the DHIE Spellbee contest, hosted at Naukara Bhavana on Thursday. DHIE Expressions 2024, co-powered by Pilot and supported by Wonderla Parks & Resorts and Poorvika Mobiles as associate sponsors, provided a student-friendly platform of linguistic celebration and intense competition. The event attracted 170 schools from across Bengaluru, each eager to showcase their spelling prowess.

The Spellbee, deftly orchestrated by Arul Mani, Dean of the School of Languages at St Joseph's University, transformed the traditional high-tension spelling contest into a thrilling spectacle of academic sportsmanship. Mani, serving both as host and pronouncer, guided the participants through their paces, challenging them with increasingly tricky spellings while maintaining an atmosphere that balanced competitive edge with supportive enthusiasm.

"Spelling Bee normally is a high-tension event where you put children in front of an audience and make them go through anxiety about their knowledge of spellings. We want to make it a more friendly event, one where they can use their analytical abilities, their strategic abilities, and learn to have fun, and also learn new words. What we found is that students have learned how to read the context well. And so they come prepared and they give it a good shot. So each year I'm always a little apprehensive about raising the level a little bit. But I find that even if I raise it, the participants are more than happy to, you know, build up and take on the challenge," explained Mani.

Participants demonstrated not just their ability to spell, but to remain composed under the gaze of an attentive audience. Some confidently spelled out their given words without hesitation, while others took a moment to mentally review their options before responding, each participant's method reflecting their unique approach to the challenge.

"What stands out about this event is that it brings together children from various different schools. Otherwise, what happens with children's contests in Bangalore is that they all happen inside circuits. They're either inside an ICSE circuit or a CBSE circuit. Here you have people from various different schools across Bengaluru. That's like a great thing for the students especially, for them to see that there's talent across the world in all of these different streams of education. It's also a very sobering experience for them that they figure out that there's a lot of competition," Mani added.

The voices of the competitors themselves painted a vivid picture of the day. 

Suyash Manchali, a second-prize winner from MES Kishore Kendra Public School, shared his initial impressions and the swift progression of the event: "When I arrived, I sat with my friends, chatting and settling in. Then I noticed so many people eager to participate in the Spellbee, and I thought, 'Okay, now I know who I’m up against.' As I mentally prepared myself, they suddenly handed out the papers. I was like, 'Alright, this is going to be interesting.' I even had time to look around, take in my surroundings, and make a couple of new friends before starting. To my surprise, I finished the worksheet in just a few minutes! After that, I was just sitting there, waiting, thinking, 'Wow, that went by fast.'"

"I really appreciate the judge—his pronunciations and the way he explained the meanings were spot on. He was also friendly with all the contestants, which made the experience even better. I also liked how the management and staff stepped in to help me correct my friend’s error in the final. That support meant a lot," he said.

The first-prize winner, Siddartha Muthappa from St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Museum Road, expressed his journey from fear to triumph: "I was very, very scared. But then, I got the courage, I got selected, and I walked on the stage. I beat second place by five points. The event was fantastic, spectacular, and amazing."

The competition wrapped up with applause and cheers, filling the venue with a sense of achievement and camaraderie. Each participant, whether they returned home with a trophy or not, gained invaluable experience and perhaps a few new words to cherish.

I really appreciate the spelling bee host—his pronunciations and the way he explained the meanings were spot on. He was also friendly with all the contestants, which made the experience even better. I also liked how the management and staff stepped in to help me correct my friend’s error in the final. That support meant a lot.

-Suyash Manchali, MES Kishore Kendra Public School

I was very, very scared. But then, I got the courage, I got selected, and I walked on the stage. I beat second place by five points. The event was fantastic, spectacular, and amazing.

-Siddartha Muthappa, St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Museum Road

What stands out about DHiE Expressions is that it brings together children from various different schools. Otherwise, what happens with children's contests in Bangalore is that they all happen inside circuits. They're either inside an ICSE circuit or a CBSE circuit. Here you have people from various different schools across Bengaluru.

-Arul Mani, Dean, School of Languages, St Joseph's University

Spellbee

Prize winners

JUNIORS 

First Prize: Dhriti Madhukar, NPS Yeshwantpur 

Second Prize: Arham Siddiqui, NPS Yeshwantpur 

Third Prize: Evan Xavier, St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Museum Road 

Consolation Prize: Kriti Shankar, NPS Koramangala 

SENIORS

First Prize: Siddartha Muthappa, St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Museum Road

Second Prize: Suyash Manchali, MES Kishore Kendra Public School 

Third Prize: Vedarth Deepak Sawant, NPS Koramangala 

Consolation Prize: Basudhara Dutta, Ryan International School, Yelahanka