Bee-yond Words at the MST Spelling Bee

Willow student Hiroto was the last speller standing at the 2025 MST Spelling Bee. His championship word? SARCOPHAGUS. 

He dueled with fellow Willower Apolline until the 18th round. Her last word was MEDALLION, which she spelled in the French way, médaillon. But perhaps there should be a special prize for bilingual spellers! Appoline was one of 13 of the 18 spellers who are non-native English speakers. Five of them were or are English as an Additional Language students. An impressive achievement born of hard work and a love of reading. Incroyable!

Also notable was third place speller, Otto of Maple class. As the youngest of the eighteen finalists, he held his own until the 16th round, confidently solving CHIA, DRIZZLE and HARMONIOUS along the way. 

Each elementary class held a spelling bee in the weeks leading up to the main tournament. The last four from the lower elementary classes and six from the upper elementary class competed in front of an audience of Sunshine and elementary students. In addition to the oohs and ahs, there were cheers for particularly tricky words and tense silence in the last rounds.

2021 was the last year that there was a national spelling bee, with the winner of the Japan competition going to the US for the world championship. Since The Japan Times have ceased sponsoring the event, there is no longer a Japan-wide contest. But thanks to LIbrarian Elizabeth, the popular tradition has continued at our school.

Past spelling bees have included the remarkable three Aoi sisters who have each won at least once and a 14 round duel two years ago that ended in two friends becoming co-champions.

–Wind Edward Kim