When Darby Yates heard the pronouncer tell her that her final word to spell was "amphibious," she knew the Catawba County Schools district spelling bee title was as good as hers.
"I was speechless when I heard that was the word," Yates said. "I studied that word last night."
Yates, 11, won the spelling bee at her school, Murray Elementary, in November. The fifth-grader has studied for the district bee ever since.
"I look over the words and my mom would call them out," Yates said. "There's also a Web site where you can take a test."
She said she would also review over words and write them down on a list to help her memorize them.
Yates outlasted the other 20 contestants in 11 rounds, after spelling two words in a row correctly — her other correct word was "capitulation."
After winning, Yates raised both hands in a show of victory, and took a bow. She won a $50 sav-ings bond for her success.
Yates said she didn't know every word she was asked to spell.
"I was unsure about a couple, like 'staccato' and 'incriminate,'" Yates said.
When she needed clarification on words, she asked for the definition.
Yates said she plans to follow her successful study methods as she prepares for the regional bee in Charlotte.
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