WHYY Specials
WHYY/Billy Penn Philadelphia and South Jersey Spelling Bee
Special | 58m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Spellers across Philadelphia and South Jersey compete in their regional Spelling Bee.
Spellers across Philadelphia and South Jersey compete in their regional Spelling Bee's hosted by WHYY and Billy Penn. Which students will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
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Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
WHYY Specials is a local public television program presented by WHYY
WHYY Specials
WHYY/Billy Penn Philadelphia and South Jersey Spelling Bee
Special | 58m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Spellers across Philadelphia and South Jersey compete in their regional Spelling Bee's hosted by WHYY and Billy Penn. Which students will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(upbeat instrumental music) - Hi, I'm Avi Wolfman-Arent.
- And I'm Kenneth Burns.
Avi and I had the pleasure of hosting this year's WHYY Billy Penn Regional Spelling Bees.
- The Philadelphia Bee took place here at WHYY Studios, and the South Jersey Bee was held at Camden High School.
- The following presentation has been edited.
You'll see all the students in the first round.
- Students who misspell a word thereafter will be edited out.
We hope you enjoy the program.
- Good morning everyone.
(audience commenting) I'm Sakeenah Benjamin and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the second annual WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
(audience applauding) (Sakeenah chuckling) So, today's bee will showcase the talents of the brightest students from public, charter and independent schools in Philadelphia, vying for the title of WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee Champion, and the honor of competing at the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
(audience cheering) (audience applauding) - I'm Avi.
Hello spellers.
So I can't spell the words for you, but I can assist you in any way possible within the bounds of the rules.
So it's okay to ask some questions and I'll tell you what information I can give you, again, within the bounds of the rules of the competition.
So we're now ready to begin round one of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
Speller number one, please approach the microphone and your word is, wand.
- Wand, W-A-N-D. Wand.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number two, can you approach.
So this word has a homonym and could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, pear.
It is a noun.
A pear is a fleshy oblong fruit of a tree that is generally larger at one end and has grit cells throughout the flesh, pear.
- Pear, P-E-A-R. Pear.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, canoe.
- C A N-E-W. (bell chiming) (contestant sighing) - I'm sorry, the correct spelling is C-A-N-O-E, canoe.
(audience applauding) (contestant sighing) Speller number four.
This word has a homonym and could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and I'm gonna provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, melted.
It's a verb and it means, became softened, became mild, tender or gentle, melted.
- Melted, M-E-L-T-E-D. Melted.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number five.
Your word is, golden.
- Golden, G-O-L-D-E-N. Golden.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) This word has a homonym or could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, mutter.
It's a verb and it means to speak especially in a low or imperfectly articulated manner, mutter.
- Mutter, M-U-T-T-E-R.
Mutter.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller number seven.
Your word is, talent.
- Talent, T-A-L-E-N-T.
Talent.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number eight.
Your word is, anyway.
- Anyway, A-N-Y-W-A-Y.
Anyway.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number nine.
Your word is, onion.
- Onion, O-N-I-O-N. Onion.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller number 10.
So this word has a homonym or it could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, frock.
It's a noun and it means a dress worn by a girl and formerly both boys and girls, frock.
- Frock, F-R-O-C-K. Frock.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 11.
So this word has a homonym or it could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, peat.
It is a noun.
It is a piece of turf cut for use as fuel, peat.
- Peat, P-E-A-T. Peat.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 12.
This is another word with a homonym that could be confused with another word, so we're gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, teemed.
It's a verb and it means abounded, swarmed.
Teemed.
- T-E-M-E-D. (bell chiming) - I'm sorry, the correct spelling (audience applauding) of teemed is T-E-E-M-E-D. - Okay, thank you.
(audience applauding) - Speller number 13.
Your word is, prone.
- Prone, P-R-O-N-E. Prone.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 14.
Your word is, goober.
- Goober, G-O-O-B-E-R. Goober.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, neaten.
- Neaten, N-E-A-T-E-N. Neaten.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 16.
This word has a homonym or could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, sprite.
It is a noun and it means elf or fairy.
Sprite.
- S-P-R-I-T-E. - That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 17.
Your word is, foothills.
- Foothills, F-O-O-T-H-I-L-L-S. Foothills.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) 18, so this word is a homonym or could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the pro the word and provide the words part of speech and definition.
The word is, quart.
It's a noun and it means a vessel or measure having the capacity of the US unit of liquid capacity equal to a quarter gallon or 57.75 cubic inches, quart.
- Quart.
Q-U-A-R-T. Quart.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller 19.
So this is a word with a homonym or a word that could be confused with another word, so I'm going to say it and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, blizzard.
It's a noun and it means a severe and prolonged snowstorm, blizzard.
- B-L-I-Z-Z-A-R-D. - That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 20.
Your word is, furnace.
- Furnace, F-U-R-N-A-C-E.
Furnace.
(audience applauding) - Correct.
Speller number 21.
Your word is, lactose.
- Lactose, L-A-C-T-O-S-E. Lactose.
(audience applauding) - Speller number 22.
Your word is, ounce.
- Ounce, O-U-N-C-E.
Ounce.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
So we're gonna go to round two.
Speller two, your word is, usher.
- Usher, U-S-H-E-R.
Usher.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number four.
The word is, divine.
It's an adjective and it means supremely good or admirable, divine.
- Divine, D-I-V-I-N-E. Divine.
(audience applauding) - Speller number five.
This is a word with a homonym or could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, eighth.
It's an adjective and it means being one more than seven in a countable series.
Eighth.
- Eighth.
E-I- G-H-T-H. Eighth.
- Well done.
(audience applauding) Speller number six.
Your word is, publish.
- Publish, P-U- B- L-I-S-H, publish.
(audience applauding) - Well done.
Speller number seven.
Your word is, rugby.
- Rugby, R-U-G-B-Y.
Rugby.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number eight.
Your word is, crumpet.
- Crumpet, C-R-U-M-P-E-T. Crumpet.
(audience applauding) - Speller number nine.
Your word is, camcorder.
- Camcorder, C-A-M-C-O-R-D-E-R.
Camcorder.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller 10.
Your word is, stagestruck.
- Stagestruck, S-T-A-G-E-S-T-R-U-C-K. Stagestruck.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller number 11.
Your word is, spangled.
- Spangled, S- P-A- N-G-L-E-D. Spangled.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller number 13.
Your word is, varnish.
- Varnish, V-A-R-N-I-S-H. Varnish.
(audience applauding) - Speller 14.
Your word is, membership.
- Membership, M-E-M-B-E-R-S-H-I-P.
Membership.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller 15.
Your word is, physical.
- Physical, P-H-Y-S-I-C-A-L.
Physical.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Speller 16.
Your word is, failure.
- Failure, F-A-I-L-U-R-E. Failure.
(audience applauding) - Speller 17.
Your word is, snippet.
- Snippet, S- N- I- P-P-E-T, snippet.
(audience applauding) - 18.
This word has a homonym or could be confused with another word.
Say the word, I'm gonna say the word, excuse me, and provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, vault.
It's a noun and it's a room for the safekeeping of valuables, usually built of steel, vault.
- Vault.
V-A-U-L-T, vault.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Speller 19.
This is a word that has a homonym or it could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, lettuce.
It's a noun.
It means a common garden vegetable, the succulent leaves of which are used especially in salads, lettuce.
- Lettuce, L-E-T-T-U-C-E. Lettuce.
(audience applauding) - Speller 20.
Your word is, fantastically.
- Fantastically, F-A-N-T- A-S-T-I-C-A-L-L-Y.
Fantastically.
(audience applauding) (Avi chuckling) - Speller 21.
There you go.
Your word is, Barbie.
- Barbie, B-A-R-B-I-E. Barbie.
(audience applauding) - Speller 22.
This is a word with a homonym or could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition before you spell it.
The word is, praise.
It's a verb and it means to express approbation of, to extol, to commend, to applaud, praise.
- Praise, P-R-A-I-S-E.
Praise.
(audience applauding) - Now we're onto round three.
We're gonna go to spelling number two.
This word has a homonym or could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, heist.
It's a noun and it means armed robbery, hold up, specifically the act of breaking into and robbing an establishment as a bank, a heist.
- Heist, H-E-I-S-T. Heist.
(audience applauding) - Please, speller number four.
So this is a word that has a homonym or could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word, provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, assure.
It's a verb and it means to give confidence to, to encourage, to strengthen, assure.
- Assure, A-S-S-U-R-E.
Assure.
(audience applauding) - Speller number five.
Your word is, Cinderella.
- Cinderella, C-I-N-D-E-R-E-L-L-A.
Cinderella.
(audience applauding) - Speller number six.
Your word is, procedure.
- Procedure, P-R-O-C-E-D-U-R-E. (audience applauding) - Speller number seven.
Your word is, likelier.
- Likelier, L-I-K-E-L-I-E-R. Likelier.
(audience applauding) - Speller number eight.
Your word is, dialect.
- Dialect, D-I-A-L-E-C-T. Dialect.
(audience applauding) - Speller 10.
This word has a homonym or it could be confused with another word, so I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, league.
It's a noun and it means an association of persons or groups united by common interests or for the achievement of common ends, league.
- League, L-E-A-G-U-E. League.
(audience applauding) - Contestant 13.
Your word is, votive.
- Votive, V-O-T-I-V-E. Votive.
(audience applauding) - Speller 15.
This word has a homonym or could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and then provide the word's part of speech and definition.
Aforesaid.
It's an adjective and it means, mentioned previously.
- Aforesaid, A-F-O-R-E-S-A-I-D. Aforesaid.
(audience applauding) - Speller Number 16.
Your word is, throughout.
- T-H-R-O-U-G-H-O-U-T.
Throughout.
(audience applauding) - That's correct.
Speller their 19.
Your word is, Shetland.
- Shetland, S-H-E-T-L-A-N-D. - Correct.
(audience applauding) Speller number 20.
Your word is, Wolfsbane.
- Wolfsbane, W-O-L-F-S-B-A-N-E. Wolfsbane.
(audience applauding) - Speller 21, undercroft.
- Undercroft, U-N-D-E-R-C-R-O-F-T. Undercroft.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Finally, speller 22.
Sodden.
- Sodden.
S-O-D-D-E-N. Sodden.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) All right, wonderful.
So we're moving on to round four now, everyone.
Speller number four.
This is a word with a homonym that could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
Churchianity.
It is a noun and it means the usually excessive or sectarian attachment to the practices and interests of a particular church, churchianity.
- Churchianity, C-H- I- A-N- I-T-Y.
(audience applauding) - Just a reminder to repeat that word, but well done.
Moving on to contestant five.
So this is a word that has a homonym, could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
The word is, loch.
It's a noun and it means a lake used in Scotland, loch.
- L-O-C-H, loch.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Afroth.
The word is, afroth.
- Afroth, A-F-R-O-T-H. Afroth.
(audience applauding) - Speller number eight.
Your word is, reprieve.
- Reprieve, R-E-P-R- I- E-B-E, reprieve.
(audience applauding) - I believe we are on now to contestant 13.
I wanna make sure, yep.
Your word is, tentativeness.
- Tentativeness.
T- E- N- T- A- T- I- V- E N-E-S-S, tentativeness.
- Well done.
(audience applauding) Contestant 17, I'm sorry, excuse me, 16.
So this word has a homonym and could be confused with another word.
I'm gonna say the word and provide the word's part of speech and definition.
Bulbous.
It is an adjective and it means resembling or suggesting a large, rounded root, especially in roundness or in the enlargement of a part, bulbous.
- B-U-L-B- O-U-S, bulbous.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) So now we're skipping to 19.
The word is, cambio.
- Cambio, C-A-M-B-I-O.
Cambio.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) (Avi chuckling) Okay, contestant 20.
Your word is, lithophone.
- Lithophone, L-I-T-H-O-P-H-O-N-E. Lithophone.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) ú - Contestant 21.
Cayenne.
- Cayenne, C-A-Y- E-N-N-E, cayenne.
(audience applauding) - That's correct.
And now, contestant 22.
Your word is, specificity.
- Specificity, S-P-E-C-I- F-I- C-I-T-Y.
(audience applauding) - Well done.
Now we're gonna enter round five.
Contestant number eight.
Your word is, nutation.
- Nutation, N-U-T-A-T-I-O-N. Nutation.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) All right, contestant number 19.
Your word is, ramson.
- R-A-M- S-O-N. - That is correct.
(audience applauding) Contestant 21.
Your word is, reggae.
- Reggae, R-E-G-G-A-E. Reggae.
(audience applauding) - That is correct.
Contestant 22.
Your word is, steroid.
- Steroid, S-T-E-R-O-I-D. Steroid.
- That is correct.
Great job, everyone.
As you can see, there are only four contestants left as we enter the next round.
So if you don't know, the way the ending works is that we'll go through a round.
If one person is left at the end of the round, that person has to spell an additional word right.
If they don't, everyone who is eliminated during that round gets to come back.
So, if during this next round, two people spell words correctly, we don't go to that end game.
But if only one person spells correctly, the three of you should stand by who don't spell it correctly because you'll be reinstated if they don't then get another word right.
Contestant eight.
Your word is, gullibility.
- Gullibility, G-U-L-L-I- B- I-L-I-T-Y, gullibility.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, alluvial.
- A-L-L-U-, allu, E-, alluvial, V-I-O-L. (bell chiming) - Oh, dang it.
- I'm sorry, it's A-L-L-U-V-I-A-L. (audience applauding) Your word is, Epicurean.
- E- P- I- C- U- R-I-A-N, epicurean.
(bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
E-P-I-C-U-R-E-A-N.
Your word is, approbatory.
- Approbatory.
A-P- P-R-O-B-I-T-O-R-Y.
(bell chiming) - Sorry.
It is A-P-P-R-O-B-A-T-O-R-Y.
(audience applauding) Okay, so only one speller got the correct spelling in this round.
So we're gonna call you back up and this word is for the championship if you spell it correctly.
If you don't, we'll reinstate all three players who were eliminated in that round.
Your word is, Quinary.
- Quinary, Q-U-I-N- E-R-Y, quinery.
(bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It is Q-U-I-N-A-R-Y.
So, (audience applauding) a little drama.
(audience applauding) So we are going to go back and do a full round with all four contestants.
Your word is, deja vu.
- Deja vu, D-E-J-A-V-U.
Deja vu.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, scarlatina.
- Scarlatina, S- C-, scar, A-R-, scar, L-E-T- I-N-A.
Scarlatina.
(bell chiming) - Oh, dang it.
- I'm sorry, S-C-A-R-L-A-T-I-N-A.
Very close.
(audience applauding) Contestant 21.
Your word is, caprifig.
- Caprifig.
C- A- P- R- A- F-I-G, caprifig.
(bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It is C-A-P-R-I-F-I-G. Caprifig.
(audience applauding) The word is, Bosc.
- Bosc, B-O-S-K. Bosk.
(bell chiming) - I am sorry.
It is B-O-S-C. (audience applauding) So we are gonna do the same thing we did before.
We'll just call contestant eight back up, and this word will be for a championship.
Your word is, frugivore.
- Frugivore.
F-R-U-J-I-V-O-R-E, frugivore.
(bell chiming) - F-R-U-G-I-V-O-R-E, so we are back to the same round.
(audience applauding) So you all stay where you are.
Oh, high drama.
Great job everyone and hang in there.
You're all amazing spellers, clearly.
Speller eight, I have to call you back up.
Your word is, boucle.
- Boucle, B-O-U-Q-U-A-Y.
Boucle.
(bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It is B-O-U-C-L-E.
Your word is, yuzu.
- Y- O-U- Z-O-U.
(bell chiming) - Y-U-Z-U.
Your word is, resuscitate.
- R-E- S-U- S-I-T-A-T, T-E.
Wait, sorry.
Sorry.
Do you want me to repeat that?
(bell chiming) - So it was incorrect, regardless, so that's why I made the judgment.
It is R-E-S-U-S-C-I-T-A-T-E. You got the rest correct though, but stay up there.
(audience applauding) Your word is, philopatry.
- Philopatry, P-H- I-L-O- P-A-T-R-Y.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) (audience cheering) You have to stay up there.
So you remain up there.
You spell one more word correctly and you will win.
The word is, anemone.
- Anemone.
U-N- N-E-M-A-N-Y.
(bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It is A-N-E-M-O-N-E.
So you all remain in the competition and we will do this again.
(audience applauding) Contestant eight.
Your word is, polysemy.
- P-O-L-Y-S-E-M-Y.
Polysemy.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Analepsis.
- A-N-I- L-E-P-C-E-S. (bell chiming) - A-N-A-L-E-P-S-I-S.
Your word is, hollowbenthic.
- Hollowbenthic, H- O-L-L O-B-E- N-T-H-I-C. (bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It's H-O-L-O-B-E-N-T-H-I-C. (audience applauding) All right, your word is surreptitious.
- Surreptitious, S-U- R-O-P- T-I-T-O-U-S. (bell chiming) - I'm sorry.
It is S-U-R-R-E-P-T-I-T-I-O-U-S. (audience applauding) Contestant eight.
So again, this word is for the championship.
(audience chuckling) (contestant breathing deeply) Your word is, apotheosis.
- Apotheosis, A-P-O-T-H-E-O-S-I-S. Apotheosis.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) - I did it.
- And you are the winner.
- I did it.
I won.
I did it.
I won.
(audience applauding) (audience cheering) I did it.
- So, congratulations to our champion and all of our finalists, a really exciting spelling bee.
(audience cheering) (audience applauding) - I felt like it was a great competition.
It was really tough and challenging at the end.
I had a couple of chances, luckily, to become the champion.
- Good morning, everyone.
I am Sakeenah Benjamin, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the first annual WHYY Billy Penn South Jersey Regional Spelling Bee.
(audience applauding) Today's bee will showcase the talents of the brightest students from public, charter and independent schools in South Jersey, vying for the title of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee Champion, and the honor of competing at the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
On behalf of WHYY and Billy Penn, thank you for joining us to celebrate the achievements of these fantastic young spellers.
Let's begin.
(audience applauding) - All right, good morning.
Good morning.
Good morning, spellers.
Good morning family and non-spellers.
It's a pleasure to be the pronouncer for this year, the first ever spelling bee here in South Jersey.
So we're going to get right into it with round one of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
Speller number one, your first word is, kilt.
- K-I-L-T, kilt.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) - Good morning.
Your word is, honeybee.
- Honeybee, H-O-N-E-Y-B-E-E. Honeybee.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, salsa.
- Salsa, S-A-L-S-A.
Salsa.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, stubble.
- Stubble, S-T-U-B-B-L-E. Stubble.
(audience applauding) - And Your word is, shindig.
- Shindig, S-H-I-N-D-I-G.
Shindig.
(audience applauding) - Pending, it's an adjective and means not yet decided.
- Pending, P-E-N-D-I-N-G.
Pending.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, blemish.
- Blemish, B-L-E-M-I-S-H. Blemish.
(audience applauding) - The word is, simmer.
- Simmer, S-I-M-M-E-R. Simmer.
(audience applauding) - Correct.
Mayhem.
- Mayhem, M-A-Y-H-E-M. Mayhem.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) - The word is, bask.
- Bask, B-A-S-K. Bask.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, daresay.
- Daresay, D-A-R-E-S-A-Y.
Daresay.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, feckless.
- Feckless, F-E-C-K-L-E-S-S. (audience applauding) - Your word is, scanty.
- S-C-A-N-T-Y.
Scanty.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, dicey.
- Dicey, D-I-C-E-Y.
Dicey.
(audience applauding) - The word is, sterling.
- Sterling, S-T-E-R-L-I-N-G. Sterling.
(audience applauding) - The word is, compass.
- C-O-M-P-A-S. Compass.
(bell chiming) (contestant groaning) - The correct spelling is C-O-M-P-A-S-S.
The word is, nurture.
- Nurture.
N-E-R-C-H. Nurture.
(bell chiming) - Nurture is spelled, N-U-R-T-U-R-E.
The word is, astonish.
- Astonish.
A-S-T-O-N-I-S-H. Astonish.
(audience applauding) - Galaxy.
- Galaxy.
G-A-L-A-X-Y.
Galaxy.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, listener.
- Listener, L-I-S-T-E-N-E-R. Listener.
(audience applauding) - This concludes round one of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
The word is, favorite.
- Favorite, F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E.
Favorite.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, convoy.
- Convoy, C-O-N-V-O-Y.
Convoy.
(audience applauding) - The word is, guess.
- Guess, G-U-E-S-S.
Guess.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, fluid.
- Fluid, F-L-U-I-D. Fluid.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, cidery.
- Cidery, C-I-D-E-R-Y.
Cidery.
(audience applauding) - The word is, shore.
- Shore, S-H-O-R-E.
Shore.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, melody.
- Melody, M-E-L-O-D-Y.
Melody.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, sweltering.
- Sweltering, S-W-E-L-T-E-R-I-N-G. Sweltering.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, weaponry.
- Weaponry, W-E-A-P-O-N-R-Y.
Weaponry.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, effortless.
- Effortless, E-F-F-O-R-T-L-E-S-S. Effortless.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, fashionista.
- Fashionista, F-A-S-H-I-O-N-I-S-T-A.
Fashionista.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, complaint.
- Complaint, C-O-M-P-L-A-I-N-T. Complaint.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, bogus.
- Bogus, B-O-G-U-S. Bogus.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, magician.
- Magician, M-A-G-I-C-I-A-N. Magician.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, apology.
- Apology, A-P-O-L-O-G-Y.
Apology.
(audience applauding) - This concludes round two of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
Your word is, bungee.
- Bungee, B-U-N-G-E-E. Bungee.
- Correct.
The word is, ewe.
It's a noun and the definition is the female of the sheep, especially women mature.
- Ewe, E-W-E. Ewe.
(audience applauding) - The word is, amulet.
- Amulet, A-M-U-L-E-T. Amulet.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, graham.
It is an adjective and the definition is, made wholly or largely of whole wheat flour.
- Graham, G-R-A-H-A-M. Graham.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, triumphant.
- Triumphant, T-R-I-U-M-P-H-A-N-T.
Triumphant.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, exude.
- Exude, E-X-U-D-E. Exude.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, tabulate.
- Tabulate, T-A-B-, tab, U-L-A-T-E. Tabulate.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, tentacled.
- T-E-N-T-A-C-L-E-D. (audience applauding) - That is correct.
Your word is, pulpit.
- Pulpit, P-U-L-P-I-T.
Pulpit.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, venomous.
- Venomous, V-E-N-O-M-O-U-S. Venomous.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, tarmac.
- Tarmac, T-A-R-M-A-C. Tarmac.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) That completes round three of the WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee.
Your word is, lexicon.
- Lexicon, L-E-X-I-C-O-N. Lexicon.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, buffoonery.
- Buffoonery, B-U-F-F-O-O-N- E-R-Y, buffoonery.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, frailty.
- Frailty.
F-R-A-I-L-T-Y, frailty.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, veered.
- Veered, V-E-E-R-E-D.
Veered.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, scrounge.
- Scrounge, S-C-R-O-U-N-G-E. Scrounge.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, adjure.
- Adjure, A-D-J-U-R-E. Adjure.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, freight.
- Freight, F-R-E-I-G-H-T. Freight.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) - Your word is, chaotic.
- Chaotic, C-H-A-O-T-I-C.
Chaotic.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) That ends round four of the spelling bee.
Your word is, macrocosm.
- Macrocosm, M-A-C-R-O-C-O-S-M. Macrocosm.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, swannery.
- Swannery, S-W-A-N-N-E-R-Y.
Swannery.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, casualty.
- Casualty, C-A-S-U-A-L-T-Y.
Casualty.
- Correct.
Your word is, vertigo.
- Vertigo, V-E-R-T-I-G-O.
Vertigo.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, declension.
- Declension, D-E-C-L-E-N-S-I-O-N. Declension.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, fission.
- Fission, F-I-S-S-I-O-N. Fission.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) The word is, pilaster.
- Pilaster, P-I-L- A-S-T-E-R, pilaster.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) (people chuckling) That's the end of round five.
Your word is, epoxy.
- Epoxy, E-P-O-X-Y.
Epoxy.
- That is correct.
Your word is, credulity.
- Credulity, C-R-E-D- U-L-I-T-Y, credulity.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, oblique.
- Oblique, O-B-L-I-Q-U-E. Oblique.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, numerology.
- Numerology, N-U-M-E-R-O-L-O-G-Y.
Numerology.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, perseverance.
- Perseverance, P-E-R-S-E- V-E-R-A-N-C-E. - That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, uncouth.
- Uncouth, U-N-C-O-U-T-H. Uncouth.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) We have reached round seven.
Your word is, discombobulate.
- D-I-S-C-O-M-B-O-B-U-L-A-T-E. Discombobulate.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, centenary.
- Centenary.
C-E-N-T-E-N- A-R-Y, centenary.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, obfuscate.
- Obfuscate, O-B-F-U-S-C-A-T-E. Obfuscate.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, reparations.
- Reparations, R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N-S. Reparations.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Welcome to round eight.
Your word is, pollutant.
- Pollutant, P-O-L-L-U-T-A-N-T. Pollutant.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) And your word is, accumulate.
- Accumulate, A-C-C-U-M-U-L-A-T-E.
Accumulate.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, errata.
- Errata, E-R-R-A-T-A.
Errata.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Round nine.
Your word is, umbrage.
- Umbrage, U-M-B-R-A-G-E. Umbrage.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, parochial.
- Parochial, P-A-R-O-C-H-I-A-L.
Parochial.
- That's correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, cantankerous.
- Cantankerous, C-A-N-T-A-N-K-E-R-O-U-S. Cantankerous.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Round 10.
Your word is, berserk.
- Berserk, B-E-R-S-E-R-K. Berserk.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, leguminous.
- Leguminous, L-E-G-U-M-I-N-O-U-S. Leguminous.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, aubergine.
- Aubergine, A-U-B-E-R-G-I-N-E. Aubergine.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Round 11.
Your word is, trigeminal.
- Trigeminal, T-R-I-G-E-M-I-N-A-L. Trigeminal.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, haplography.
- Haplography, H-A-P-L-O-G-R-A-P-H-Y.
Haplography.
- That is correct.
(audience applauding) Round 12.
Your word is, rotisserie.
- Rotisserie, R-O-T- I-S-S-E-R-I-E, rotisserie.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, tonsillitis.
- Tonsillitis, T-O-N-S-I-L-L-I-T-I-S. Tonsillitis.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) That ends round 12 on TB 12.
(audience chuckling) (audience applauding) On to 13.
So we are down to two spellers and to claim the championship, the last speller standing will have to spell a second word.
Your word is, isosceles.
- Isosceles, I-S-O-S-C-E-L-E-S. Isosceles.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) Your word is, lassitude.
- Lassitude, L-A-C-I-T-U-D-E. Lassitude.
(bell chiming) (audience applauding) - Lassitude is spelled, L-A-S-S-I-T-U-D-E.
The word is, kinesiology.
- Kinesiology, K-I-N-E- S-I-O-L-O-G-Y, kinesiology.
- Correct.
(audience applauding) (audience cheering) (contestant chuckling) Congratulations, you are the 2023 WHYY Billy Penn Spelling Bee Champion, and you'll represent WHYY Billy Penn at the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
- Thank you.
(audience cheering) (audience applauding) (contestant chuckling) - I wanna thank my gifted and talented teacher, Mr. Warner.
I wanna thank my parents 'cause they helped me study a lot and helped me power through it.
And I also wanna thank my friends for helping me study when they could.
- Congratulations to the winners.
- And thanks for tuning in to this WHYY special, bye.
(upbeat instrumental music) (upbeat instrumental music continues) (upbeat instrumental music continues)
WHYY Specials is a local public television program presented by WHYY