Sunday, March 25, 2001

By Dan O'Brien
Stars and Stripes

Raymond T. Conway / Stars and Stripes Mark Norsworthy correctly spells the word "vigilante" to win the 19th Annual European Spelling Bee.
Michael Schmitz from Vilseck Middle School was the runner-up.	Dianna Parsons of Lakenheath Middle School was the third-place finisher.

MANNHEIM, Germany — Mark Norsworthy knew no one could help, that he was on his own.

Arms by his side, head held high, he paused for a moment and then clearly and confidently did what he had set out to do.

"V-i-g-i-l-a-n-t-e," he said, letter by letter.

A moment later, with the audience erupting into cheers and applause, he broke into a smile.

With that correct spelling he topped 49 other competitiors Saturday to win the 19th annual European Spelling Bee at Mannheim Elementary School.

"It was pretty tough competition, but I had fun doing it," he said afterward. "This was my last year to compete, I’m in the eighth grade, so I’m happy to win."

On his way to victory, he made it by "medusa" and cleared "pollutant." He also correctly spelled "countenance," "incite" and a dozen others. Finally, 2½ hours after walking up to the microphone for the first time, he stood alone, triumphant.

"These are 50 of the best spellers in elementary and middle schools in Europe," said Reginald Walker, coordinator for the European Congress of American Parents, Teachers and Students, which sponsored the bee. "They all deserve credit."

The school’s auditorium was packed with parents, relatives, teachers and friends. Applause rang out for every correct — and incorrect — spelling.

Raymond T. Conway / Stars and Stripes Judges rule against an appeal by Akash Attreya, fourth from left, and his father during the 19th Annual European Spelling Bee

And although a nervous energy rippled through the room whenever a speller hesitated, the spirit seemed to be: Just do your best. It could be seen in the reassuring hugs parents gave to students who were eliminated.

Mark, a student at Ramstein Middle School, said he practiced for the Bee with his parents, Mike and Karen Norsworthy.

Finishing second was Michael Schmitz, an eighth-grader at Vilseck/High Middle School. He correctly spelled "alpaca," "imperial," "improvisational" and "forensics," but got tripped up by "batten."

As a coincidence, Mark and Michael two years ago had advanced to the final three in the Spelling Bee, but neither won.

Placing third was Dianna Parsons of Lakenheath Middle School in England.

Mark will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent the European Command in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee May 27 to June 2.

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