In 1991, Jacques Bailly transformed the experience of participants at the Scripps National Spelling Bee by streamlining the process for pronouncers.
Before his groundbreaking change, pronouncers had to navigate through dictionaries whenever contestants asked for definitions or the origins of words.
To facilitate this, Bailly meticulously cut out pages from the dictionary that contained the chosen words, allowing pronouncers to access all the necessary information at their fingertips.
This innovative approach not only simplified the process but also helped pave the way for Bailly’s promotion to chief pronouncer over two decades ago.
Currently based in Vermont, Bailly will once again take up his role at this week’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is taking place just outside Washington, D.C.
This year, 243 spellers will compete in the preliminary rounds, including two exceptional middle-schoolers from Colorado, who aspire to make it to the finals scheduled for Thursday.
Reflecting on his role, Bailly noted, “I have the best fan club. For a week, I’m this rock star to these kids. They all want my autograph.”
Bailly himself was once in their position, having won the Scripps Bee in 1980 while attending St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Denver, where he successfully spelled the word “elucubrate.”
Denver boasts a rich history with the Scripps Bee, sponsoring more champions than any other location, according to the organizers.
The Colorado State Spelling Bee, initially sponsored by the Rocky Mountain News and currently backed by The Denver Post, has advanced seven future champions to the national stage.
The list of notable Denver champions includes Dana Bennett in 1957, Joel Montgomery in 1959, Katie Kerwin in 1979, Jacques Bailly in 1980, Molly Dieveney in 1982, Scott Isaacs in 1989, and Pratyush Buddiga in 2002.
Last year, Westminster eighth-grader Aditi Muthukumar showcased her skills by securing fifth place at the national bee after winning the Post-sponsored state contest.
In 2022, 12-year-old Vikram Raju from Aurora won the state contest in Denver and subsequently placed second at the Scripps Bee.
Continuing the legacy, Vikram’s brother, Vedanth Raju, is now set to represent Colorado at the 2025 Scripps Bee after winning this year’s state competition.
Another rising star, Superior eighth-grader Blanche Li, secured her place after a successful performance at the Boulder Valley Regional Spelling Bee.
What is it about the Mile High City that fosters such strong spellers?
Could it be the altitude? Something in the water? Perhaps the abundance of sunshine plays a role?
It might just be a little M-A-G-I-C.
Molly Dieveney’s journey into the world of spelling was sparked by watching Bailly on the morning news following his 1980 triumph.
As a young girl, she was so inspired that she thought, “Well, that is really cool. I want to be on TV.”
This admiration led her to seek out Bailly’s mother, Florence Bailly, who took Molly under her wing.
“Florence was just a phenomenal person in my life and an influence and force, and she loved words and the Bee,” recalled Molly, now known as Molly Baker.
Florence welcomed the aspiring speller into her home after school, offering snacks and study guides.
Molly eagerly immersed herself in the learning materials provided by both Bailly’s and her parents.
Her fifth-grade year was spent excelling in language origins, definitions, and the intricacies of suffixes and prefixes, thanks to the tailored guidance she received.
Baker enjoyed this educational journey, appreciating the opportunity it provided to break away from her responsibilities as one of five children in her family.
She also acknowledged the competitive culture in Denver, attributed to the strong spelling programs within the Archdiocese of Denver’s Catholic schools.
These programs would host their own spelling bees, with winners advancing to the state level—a pathway to the national stage at the Scripps Bee.
“It was no surprise that the Colorado spellers were so competitive every year,” she expressed.
Once Baker clinched her Scripps Bee spot in sixth grade, she felt immersed in a special community that was hard to let go of.
As the finals approached, Baker’s excitement soared until she realized which place would score her a prize.
At that young age, she gained immense satisfaction when she spelled “psoriasis,” which earned her the championship in 1982.
“It was a moment of elation and release,” Baker said, reflecting on her experience.
After her victory, Baker faced a choice between meeting President Ronald Reagan at the White House or appearing on the national news.
She opted for the latter, recalling the joy she experienced chatting with Jane Pauley on the “Today” show.
Baker took on a role at the Bee during college, helping usher emotional participants to the designated room.
Her career took her from investment banking on Wall Street to reporting for the Rocky Mountain News, and eventually to the Wall Street Journal.
Baker credits her time at the Bee for instilling a sense of commitment and awareness of the hard work of those surrounding her.
As part of the celebration marking the Bee’s centenary, past champions including Baker have been invited to partake in this week’s festivities.
Reflecting on the significance of her experience, Baker stated, “It was such a big, important part of my life.
If there’s a chance to overlap with anybody who I would have been contemporaries with or share stories with other people who have had the same experience, it would be really special.
It’s a unique club to be a member of.”
As Vedanth Raju prepares to enter the competition, he feels a whirlwind of emotions.
He is excited to connect with other spellers and proud of his accomplishments but is equally nervous because he knows how competitive the national bee is.
Having watched his brother Vikram take second place, Vedanth is well aware of the dedication required to excel at this level.
His preparation routine has ramped up to five to six hours during the week and eight to eleven hours on weekends, primarily utilizing online resources.
Throughout the year, he maintains contact with fellow spellers via video calls and text messaging.
Yet, nothing can compare to gathering in person for the anticipated event.
“I’m excited to meet the whole community,” Vedanth expressed.
Audiences can watch the Scripps Bee finals live, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday on the ION network.
The spectacle of the Bee has evolved significantly since the days of Baker and Bailly, who recall a simpler, less extravagant atmosphere.
“In our time, there were no confetti, no balloons, and the audience was much smaller,” Baker reminisced.
But the genuine thrill of the competition remains unchanged.
“It’s just a hoot,” Bailly said, capturing the essence of the experience.
“For me, it’s a privilege to inspire these kids to learn.
It’s truly a meaningful part of my life.”
image source from：https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/26/scripps-national-spelling-bee-champions/
