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One letter eliminates Colorado girl from national spelling bee

Shertease Wheeler, Scripps Howard News Service

Published June 1, 2007 at midnight

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WASHINGTON – One letter spelled disappointment for the last Colorado contestant in the 80th Scripps National Spelling Bee today.

Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, 14, of Superior, misspelled castrensian, replacing the last "s" with a "t."

Castrensian refers to castral, which refers to a camp or fortified place.

"I thought that I could probably get it if I just thought it through," she said. "I did think it through and I took all my time, but it just didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to ... I wasn’t sure of the word."

Maithreyi, sponsored by the Boulder Daily Camera, held a glass bee and a silver coin, lucky charms that usually keep her calm and confident. But no so this time.

"It’s just one letter that got me out," she said. "I just stayed calm throughout the entire thing, and that’s why I’m not so upset about the word."

Jake Smith, a 12-year-old Mountain Ridge Middle School student from Highlands Ranch and the other Colorado contestant in the bee, was eliminated in the fourth round Wednesday.

Although this was the last year she was eligible to compete in the bee, Maithreyi said she plans to help friends who want to make it to the competition next year.

"I’m probably just going to put all my resources away," Maithreyi said. "If someone needs help with it, I might help them, but that’s pretty much it."

The bee began Wednesday with a record 286 contestants, with Maithreyi and 58 others making it to the semifinals. Just 15 advanced to the finals, which will be televised on Denver’s 7 tonight at 7.

Maithreyi planned to support her fellow spellers by attending the championship round.

"Unfortunately, I can’t really come back until I get into college if I want to volunteer," she said. "I’m going to stay home and watch it on TV next year."

Gopalakrishnan won't go home empty-handed. She won more than $250 and a Scripps commemorative watch among other prizes.

"It’s good enough for me," she said.

Her father, Murali Gopalakrishnan, was excited that his daughter made it to the semifinals.

"I’m very proud of her," he said. "She’s done really good ... I think this year is probably one of the hardest fifth rounds that I’ve seen."

As a fourth-time bee competitor, Maithreyi offered a little advice to the remaining spellers.

"Make sure that you always stay calm on stage," Maithreyi said. "The more calm you are, the closer you’ll get to the word, even if you can’t get it."

You can follow the bee online at spellingbee.com. Click on the "Round Results" link.

Can you spell?

Words that Colorado's spellers tackled Wednesday and Thursday:

MAITHREYI GOPALAKRISHNAN

• castrensian Refers to castral, which refers to a camp or fortified place.

• salinelle A mud volcano erupting saline mud

• gesture A motion of the limbs or body made to express or help express thought or to emphasize speech.

• tyrannical Of or relating to a tyrant or tyranny.

JAKE SMITH

• piroplasmosis An illness transmitted to humans and animals by ticks.

• turbulence An eddying motion of the atmosphere that interrupts the flow of wind.

• prospectus A formal summary of a proposed venture or project.Source: American Heritage Dictionary