Broadalbin-Perth Middle School eighth-grader Miles Compani won the Fulton County Spelling Bee Monday night at Gloversville Middle School, beating out 35 other competitors and securing a spot at the national bee in Washington, D.C.
Compani, who said he studied the list of more than 2,000 words nightly since early February, took home the win by correctly spelling “hipness.”
Despite feeling very prepared, Compani said he was still very nervous. “One slip-up and you’re out,” he said, no doubt feeling the pressure that after competing four previous years in the Fulton County bee, this was his last year to win it all.
“It was very important to me,” he said. “Some kids play sports … I tend to do programs like this.”
Compani said he was happy with the mix of easier and more difficult words he was asked to spell during the competition and that the moment he finished spelling his last word was thrilling. “It was crazy,” he said. “All of a sudden everyone was clapping, and they said I was the winner.”
Compani, who stays very busy with the Wind Turbine Club, Future Cities Club and the First Lego League, said he will make time to study and practice for the next challenge, which takes him to the national stage.
Compani and his family will head to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., from May 22 to 27. The Leader-Herald, which sponsored the Fulton County Spelling Bee, will pay for the trip.