I'm disappointed but I have to move on - Africa's representative at Spelling Bee competition

Ghana’s representative at the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee competition, Lilly Tugbah, says she will not allow her inability to secure the topmost award dampen her spirit but will rather focus on the positive experience she garnered from the competition.

16-year-old Lily Tugbah was the only African among 291 representatives drawn from various countries to participate in the competition and she believes that the experience amassed from the competition will go a long way to help her academic journey.

Lily Tugbah, a student of Solidarity International School in Ashiaman could not go past the second round of the contest but believes she has amassed a life-changing experience from it.

According to her she arrived at the competition with high hopes and was disappponted by her performance but will not allow that to derail her ambitions.

“I am disappointed that I could not make it beyond the second round because I came here with the hope of winning the ultimate prize,” said Lily Tugbah. “However, coming to America has given me a life changing experience, I have made friends that I hope I can keep and share a lot with throughout my life. I am grateful to Young Educators Foundation for this opportunity.”

The winner of the 10th edition of The Spelling Bee Ghana in February was the only contestant from Africa to take part in the 90th edition of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.



A 12-year-old speller from Fresno, California, Ananya Vinay was declared champion of the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee, held at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Centre at National Habour Maryland, USA and presented by Kindle.