Today on 2/18/22, during the School spelling bee, Parker Tan and faced off as two people remained in the competition. After spelled word correctly, Parker Tan was next in line to spell the word "tortuous". However, he got it wrong. Unfortunately, the administrators failed to take any action against that and have spell another word to secure the victory. The opposite happened and everything ended. won the match in a controversial ending caused by the school administrators. Even though spelled word right during the round, it would have been fair if had spelled another word correctly. This is standard across all spelling bees, including the OFFICAL Scripps National Spelling Bee competition.

From my point of view, I don't believe it's controversial, as there are different views from different people's perspectives. I would more lean towards the idea of unfairness and the rules not being stated clearly, as what would happen when there were two spellers remaining.

According to the "2022 Rules for Local Spelling Bees" by Scripps National Spelling Bee, it states:

"If all spellers in a round misspell or answer word meaning questions incorrectly: If none of the spellers remaining in the spelling bee at the start of a round spells a word correctly or answers a word meaning question correctly during that round, all remain in the competition and a new spelling round begins. Ties: All spellers eliminated in the same round are tied for the same place. After the champion has been determined, spelling bee officials may opt to conduct tiebreakers (of their own design) if tiebreakers are necessary for the awarding of prizes or the determination of qualifying spellers for the next level of competition. If only one speller in a round spells correctly or answers a word meaning question correctly: If only one speller spells correctly in a round, a new one-word spelling round begins and the speller is given an opportunity to spell a word on the list (anticipated championship word). If the speller succeeds in correctly spelling the anticipated championship word in this one-word round, the speller is declared the champion. Example: In Round 12 there are four spellers. Spellers 6 and 21 misspell. Speller 30 spells correctly. Speller 42 misspells. So, Speller 30 is the only speller in the round to spell correctly. Speller 30 begins Round 13 — a one-word round — and is offered the anticipated championship word. Speller 30 correctly spells the anticipated championship word and is declared champion. Example: Two spellers spell in Round 10. Speller 14 misspells. Speller 25 spells correctly. Speller 25 begins Round 11 — a one-word round — and is offered the anticipated championship word. Speller 25 correctly spells the anticipated championship word and is declared champion. Example: Two spellers spell in Round 16. Speller 3 spells correctly. Speller 9 misspells. Speller 3 begins Round 17 — a one-word round — and is offered the anticipated championship word. Speller 3 correctly spells the anticipated championship word and is declared champion. VERY IMPORTANT: If a speller misspells the anticipated championship word in a one-word round: A new spelling round begins with ALL the spellers who participated in the previous round. These spellers spell in their original order."

In short, the most important quote in this citation is: "If only one speller spells correctly in a round, a new one-word spelling round begins and the speller is given an opportunity to spell a word on the list (anticipated championship word). If the speller succeeds in correctly spelling the anticipated championship word in this one-word round, the speller is declared the champion."

Having described the incident above, Mr. David Knapp, Mrs. Amanda Robinson, Mr. Jayson Bruce, and Mrs. Kim Shafer all failed to oblige by the rules. was NEVER given a championship-level word to be able to be declared the school champion.

There MUST be a rematch or a reasonable resolution to this matter. It is very important to both spellers and most be satisfy both parties.

Parker Tan has studied very hard for this moment and it can't end off badly. For days and nights has he prepped and done everything possible to be the best speller out there.

If you agree with the terms and the incident listed above and you feel that it is wrong, please sign the petition. Anyone signing would be greatly appreciated.