| OCR Text |
Show UTAH/NATION Thursday. June 3. 1999 The Salt Lake Tribune AS Spelling Bee Survivors Fight for Title Today Newrules help judges move contest along quickly THE ASSOCIATED PRESS breakdownof glucose WASHINGTON — Megan McFall took a deep breath, wished away the hiccup attacks that often appear when sheis nervous and successfully spelled ‘‘c-h-r-y-s-a- n-t-h-e-m-a-m.” “There was nohiccup. That was Just a blank,” Megan. a 13-yearold home-schooler from Youngs- town, Ohio,said of her noticeable hesitation Wednesday before startingto spell in the 72nd annu- After three minutes and seven seconds, twice as long as the 90 seconds officials generally al. lowed on the first day. judges insisted Kristina spell the word which shedid correctlyto stay in the contest. “I didn't study this hard to be disqualified,” she said during a quatetimesto spell words are 90 secondsfor easier words from the al Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. Nevertheless, after three rounds of spelling, Megan wasstill in the running. Some of the 9- to 15-year-olds spelled with their hands stuffed deep in their pockets. Others gazedat the ceiling for inspiration and hoped they wouldn't hear the elimination bell. The bee got off first day, and two minutes for the harder words in the final rounds, but the judges have leeway. Suspense also came when judges asked to hear a tape of Kristen Davis’ spelling of “pomeridian.” meaning blossoming after noon. The 12-year-old from Stuart, Va.. however, spelled it policy that gives judges more guidancein disqualifying contestants whospell as slow as m-o-l-a- sponsors cheered the spellers — even when they missed — in the to a swift start because of a new S-S-€-S ‘poneridian.”” Dozens of parents, siblings and ballroom of a downtown Washington hotel. Kristina Rodriguez, a 14-year- While some weathered tongue- old from Brownsville, Texas, al- twisters like “prestidigitator,’ most succumbed to the policy on her third word. She asked several “meistersinger’’ and ‘‘xerostomia,” others were stumped by the timesfor the definitio1 pronunciation and origins of “glycolytic,” and “‘suffocate. which refers to the chemical likesof “‘sousaphone,” “rapport” Kyle Trujillo. one of two 9- Environmental Watchdog Bites Utah’s Congressmen U.S. PIRG criticizes GOP delegation’s D.C. votes \ nonpartisan watchdog group licans for their votes on the environment. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group(U.S. PIRG) is using the score cardin its door-to-door Clean Air Now Campaign aimed at reducingair pollution and globel warming through developing transportation alternatives to We're definitely disappointed that the Utah delegation is way below the national average,” said Jennifer Taylor, an assistant director in the Salt Lake City office. Even Rep. [Merrill] Cook, who lad the highest score [among the Utah lawmakers], only voted for the Utah publie interest 37 per- ccnt of thetime.” Lawmakers in Republican- dominated Utah, including Rep. Jim Hansen, occasionally use their low rankings with environmental groups as badges of honor 1o appeal to conservative groups. The group ranked Utah’s two senators, Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, at 8 percent and 15 per- uled to wrap up today Chin k Kennedy Knight Ridder Titian year-olds in the contest and. ironically. from Tuba City, Ariz missed “sousaphone.” He spelled it “suziphone The other 9-vear-old and the youngest contestant, fourth-grader Shante Lewis from Plainfield N.J., also was eliminated in the first round Without hesitation, ise West. 13. of Memphis. Tenn., correct spelled “tentativeness.” Sarah Sinnett of Powellsville. N.C.. kept her cool while acing “disecombob: ulate.” And the audience applauded and chuckled when An gela Arenivar. 14. of Perryton. Texas, pumped her fists and jumped up and down after squeaking out the spelling of “wi heedle.” chary Holland Baker, 13. of Parsons. nn., ended his first- time appearance by misspelling his first word — “siphonapterology.” a branch of entomology concerned with fleas, He was trippedup by the previous speller's word, psychedelic.” ‘Thad the p-s-y thing still in my mind.” hesaid “I hoped 1 would get past thefirst round, That's the hardest round, | wanteda chance at $10.000 The contestants. most spon: sored by their local newspapers all wonregional bees to qualify The winner today will receive $10.000. Back to Summer Saviin ings, all a choice of encyclope- dias and other prizes Seripps Howard announced Wednesday that Jamaica. home of last year’s champ. will return to the competition next vear after being bannedthis year for hold ing its local qualifying contest too early Scripps Howard. the newspaper group basedin Cincinnati, co ordinates the national finals and produces the wordlists and study materials Week Long at . Wnfs Ute -BOATER™S_WORLD quently they voted in line with releasedits annual score card for congressional members Wednesday, criticizing Utah’s five Repub- Ss Marine Centers U.S. PIRG’s views. That is below the group’s 47 percent national average for the Senate. In the House, Hansen, who chairs a public-lands subeommit- tee, and Rep. Chris Cannon each ranked at 16 percent, also below the group's 49 percent national average for the House. Senators were judged on 13 votes ranging from wilderness to Against The Elements Evercoat Boat Yard Fly Tek Back Country Shirt Fiberglass = Resin RAT Y TempoVal 6 Portable 6 ae Fuel Tank Johnson 500 GPH bee Ae ce nuclear waste to tobacco, while House members were judged on 19 votes ranging from endangered species to logging to coal subsidies. Beth Niederman, the group's $94 $428 campaigndirector, said the score- cards “are an important way to educate the public about the voting records of their elected officials and helpcitizens hold those Candlepower Rechargeable Spotlight officials accountable. She said Hatch wasthe biggest $49°5 disappointment since he “consis voted to put corporate above public health and safety and scored below 10 per cent.” Hatch could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Thescore card is available online at http://www.pirg.org/ demos/score. Limit Gambling Industry’s Gifts ToPoliticians, Panel Tells States Against the Elements 8 Packet eae shotts Magma Charcoal SS Marine Kettle” BBO Seaworthy Sea6108 Cassette Stereo Package Constr wastied ne elastic b iltimate Ph soe Orion 12-Gauge Red Meteor Flares been granted the privilege of op- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN FRANCISCO — Nearing the endof its work, a federal com- mission on gambling urged states to curb political contributions from companies in the gambling business. If carried outin state legislaacross the country, Wednes- s recommendation could eiskeotr large source of money forstate andlocal campaigns. erating gamblingfacilities The recommendation is a wa tered-down version of New Jer- Uniden MC 535 VHF Radio §9g% sey’s ban on political contribu- tions from casinointerests, their employees and agents. It came as members of the com- Available in Sand, Khaki and Blue Men's Even Waist Sizes: 32-42 mission sat down to complete work on a report that commission members will vote on this week and then release to the White O'Brien 3 Buckle Ski Vest Magma Economy Gas Marine KettleBBO $119.95 Magma Marine Kettle” “Party Size” =... 2 ae Combination Gas Kettle Grill $174.95 House, Congress and others. By a 6-3 vote, the National Gambling Impact Study Commis- sion approved language recommending that states “adopt tight restrictions on contributions to state andlocal campaignsby entities their enthusiasm Wednesdayin Washing ton — at least until it's their turn. The 72nd annual contest is sched. cent, respectively, for howfre- BYJOHN HEILPRIN THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE car The long wait between words at the Scripps Howard Nationa! Spell ing Bee saps students of break. Under the guidelines, ade- corporate, privateor tribal — that have applied for or have Apelco 365 Fishfinder Commissioner Richard Leone, a former New Jerseystate treasurer who proposed the recommendation to the commission, said he would have preferred a * Weather resistant housing and microphone ban covering individuals as well as companies, and federal races as well as state and local ones. Exide Nautilus Marine Starting Battery O'Brien Freestyle Kneeboard WHIRLWIND™ ‘BOATERS WORLD 2= d lift and quick FILTERS BETTER Than Any Other Upright Vaccum Choanee * Cyelonie Action fs Vacuums starting at a sty Marine Centers Salt Lake City + NoSysBags Newded + frgonomic BACK SAVER® fe han handle Mog 4480/81 Sea Bowld Nylon Dock line 22M, Grate Fart| Lacevncwn a ie ea bela 304-1601 072-8529 973-6038 es ae ae 2150 South State * (at Inkley’s) (801) 486-3921 9/8°X15 > | T= ea SD $399 =. Momma smetceee PO Meek CenGd $ 59° 95 Or Get 2 For ON] Bis Landaynay |
