Days before Rachael Cundey was to take her shot at a national spelling bee title, the South Columbia Elementary School fourth-grader was recognized by her peers and teachers.
Rachael, 10, will represent the Augusta region at the Scripps National Spelling Bee starting Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
South Columbia Elementary held a recognition and awards ceremony for the fourth-grade class Thursday, and Rachael featured prominently.
Not only did she receive a trophy as the spelling bee champ for the school and the region, but she also won a certificate or medal for her inclusion on the all-A's honor roll and for finishing top in her class in math, science, language arts and social studies.
"When Rachael was little, her teachers asked me if I wanted to skip her ahead a grade," said her mother, Tammy Cundey. "I decided not to for social reasons, but she easily could have. She was reading on a sixth-grade level when she was in the first grade."
Since winning the spelling bees this year, Rachael has been the focus of numerous newspaper articles and has become somewhat of a celebrity at her school.
The extra attention has been appreciated, she said.
"I like it, but I don't think it has changed me that much," she said. "My friends don't treat me any differently."
Ms. Cundey, a special needs teacher at South Columbia Elementary, disagrees. She says she has noticed a boost in Rachael's confidence.
"Students have asked her if they can be her business manager or her agent, because they all think she's going to be famous," Ms. Cundey said.
The national bee will start with a computer round Tuesday. A preliminary round will be held Wednesday and streamed live at ESPN360.com.
ESPN will televise the semifinals at 10 a.m. Thursday. The finals will be aired by ABC that night at 8.
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