Ramsy Yu, 14, spelled his way to victory at the recent Canada Regionals Spelling Bee by mastering tongue twisters like “accelerometer” and “acquiescence.”
Now, as the intermediate category winner, Yu will represent B.C. at the 35th Annual Championship in Toronto on Sunday, June 12.
A first-time competitor and Vancouver College student, Yu says learning new words is the best part of the spelling bee process.
“I stare at the words and practice with my tutor,” he says, when asked about his training regimen.
His favourite word so far? Cryosphere, an all-encompassing term for places on Earth with frozen water.
This year's championship, held in person for the first time since 2019, features 14 competitors per category from across the country. Yu says he most looks forward to meeting his fellow participants. When it comes to the far-off future, he aspires to a career in technology.
“I’d like to design new hardware for computers.”
In-person competition tickets are reserved for parents and children, but other spelling bee fans can tune into the event’s live-stream on CBC Sports beginning at 7 a.m. on June 12.
As for one final shout-out, Yu wants to recognize his mom, Sara, for encouraging him to participate.
“Thank you to my mom for signing me up!” he says.
