The Emcee’s voice rang out, “Your word is “de-main” also pronounced “de-mean”. Nice; either way I didn’t have a clue. Maybe I should have passed on that second glass of wine. “Can you give us the definition?” I asked, trying to buy a little time. Speculating on the language of origin and root word I played out several possible variations in my head. His voice broke through my reverie….“an estate or part of an estate occupied and controlled by the owner or manor house…. blah blah blah……….” . I conferred with my Dream Team partners and it soon became evident that none of us could do more than guess at the spelling of the word. Hesitantly the guy on my right picked up the microphone and took a stab. “D-E, pause, (so far so good),…M-E-I-G-N? he ended somewhat desperately.” Ding”, (went the little bell) “I’m sorry” said the Emcee…..”that was a tough one” and our short lived hopes of becoming the 2009 Family Learning Institute Spelling Champs faded to the sound of good natured applause.
Last Friday night 19 teams took to the stage in a “spell-off” fundraiser, benefitting Family Learning Institute, an organization that provides a supplemental academic program to low income students in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti who are performing below grade level, at no cost to the students. Their program incorporates tools for becoming successful learners and their track record tells the story of their success. (www.familylearninginstitute.org)
Representing Dynamic Edge as a wild card player, I was given a seat on the “Dream Team” when one of the official teams was eliminated with the word “reminiscence”. Lucky for me I spent many an hour shopping in my favorite vintage store in Greenwich Village, aptly named “Reminiscence”– I was a shoe in.
Teams as diverse as the WCC Honey Bees, Zinger Bees from Zingermans, Retirement Income Solutions Grammar Crackers, the Ann Arbor Motion Roads Scholars, St Andrews Holy Bees, the Mss-Spellers, and more, strategized, conferred and competed, and, as the “bee” progressed the words became more difficult and well, just plain weird. The teams fell one by one, tripped up on words that had no place in the English language I knew and loved.
A few more rounds and two teams, both representing Green Hills School, were the only ones standing. Ratcheting things up to a whole new level, the Emcee opened up a plastic baggie and brought out the Really Hard Words! No longer in the spotlight, I ordered another white wine and sat back to listen and learn.
Fifteen grueling minutes later, edging out their sister team, Green Hills ParentTeam “Houyhnhnms” spelled their way to victory and accepted the golden trophy. The real winners though were Family Learning Solutions who raised over $20,000 with a spelling bee!
Graciously accepting defeat I congratulated Marjorie Horton, a member of the winning team. Eyeing the trophy covetously, I leaned in to give her a hug, already planning a strategy for the Dynedge team I was hoping to debut in the 2010 event. Anyone interested in joining?..We’re always looking for a few good spellers.
Oh, by the way….that word is spelled demesne.
— Debra Berman
