Skip to main content
Advertising

Originally published Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 3:02 PM

  • Share:
           
  • Comments (0)
  • Print

Sibling rivalry will play out at AARP spelling bee

An old case of sibling rivalry could spell trouble at the upcoming AARP National Spelling Bee in Cheyenne.

Associated Press

Most Popular Comments
Hide / Show comments
No comments have been posted to this article.
Start the conversation >

advertising

CHEYENNE, Wyo. —

An old case of sibling rivalry could spell trouble at the upcoming AARP National Spelling Bee in Cheyenne.

The bee is open to anyone age 50 and older, and it's very competitive. The winner typically has put in many hours of preparation studying the dictionary.

The roughly 50 people signed up this year include four siblings: 67-year-old Joan Risley, of Arizona; 62-year-old Roger Risley, of Washington state; 60-year-old Chris Wagner, of California; and 57-year-old Prudence Hopkins, of Virginia.

The four grew up in an academically competitive household and say they're not just having a reunion, they want to see who's the best speller on Saturday.

Last year's winning word was "uakari" (wah-KAR'-ee), a species of monkey. Uakari is spelled U-A-K-A-R-I, and 58-year-old Tony Johnson nailed the word to win $5,000.

News where, when and how you want it

Email Icon


Advertising