Eleven-year-old Jie Laboriante of McAllen was eliminated in the fourth round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Wednesday morning, tying for 49th place.
Jie breezed through rounds one through three on Tuesday, spelling nudibranch and kneadman, and defining grandiloquent.
The word “bradyphrenia”— a medical term for the slowing of mental processes — stumped her Wednesday. Jie thanked the people who supported her and encouraged her in the endeavor Thursday, calling it an amazing opportunity and an unforgettable experience.
Jie may be out of the competition for this year, but it won’t be the end of her vernacular pursuits.
Her mother says they are planning on making another go at the bee next year. The cut off is 8th grade, so Jie could have as many as three more chances to compete.
She had punched her ticket to Washington after claiming victory at AIM Media Texas Rio Grande Valley’s 34th annual Regional Spelling Bee, which was held in Edinburg on March 5.
