By Adrian Gomez / Journal Arts Editor
Inside Keith Lee’s head lives thousands of words – including definitions and origins.
The seventh-grade student at Albuquerque Academy lives in a world which requires balance.
Along with his general studies, he’s in jazz band, on the baseball team and studies for the upcoming New Mexico State Spelling Bee.
In 2023, Lee was the winner and was sent to Washington, D.C., to represent the state in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
“Last year, I dedicated two to three hours each night to practice. However, now, the seventh-grade coursework demands more of my time,” Lee says. “Between frequent baseball practice and weekend matches, I’ve had to adjust my study routine. These days, I find myself squeezing in spelling preparation during my commute and right before bedtime. Compared to last year, my overall preparation time has indeed decreased.”
Lee got a first-hand education in the spelling bee world when he was in Washington, D.C., last year.
