Buzz-Worthy Achievements: From Spelling Bees to Volunteering MVPs!

In this episode of Along the Rock, host Kaitlyn Blum welcomes Parker Zimmerly, a local student who represented Amboy Junior High School at the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee, and Tom Wadsworth, recently honored as Volunteer of the Year after 43 years of service to spelling competitions.

Parker shares what it was like to compete on the national stage in Washington, D.C., from the nerves of spelling in front of a live audience to the excitement of exploring the capital and meeting new friends. He also reflects on the challenges of tough words and the strategies that helped him succeed.

Tom discusses the rewards of decades-long volunteer work, the behind-the-scenes scale of the National Spelling Bee, and why helping students build confidence and achieve success has kept him coming back year after year.

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🎤 Timestamps & Highlights:

0:42 - Competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee
2:10 - The Best Part About Volunteering
2:59 - Clip from "2025 Regional Volunteer of the Year"
3:46 - Behind the Scenes at the Scripps National Spelling Bee
5:29 - Memorable Words
9:05 - Advice for Future Competitors

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