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'Wassail' spells loss for Oxnard teenager at bee
Youth, 13, says he enjoyed the experience
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Bill Clark / SHNS Cory Klingsporn of Oxnard participates in the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Spelling BeesWASHINGTON — Cory Klingsporn knew he was in trouble.
He'd never heard of "wassail," didn't know what it meant and didn't have a clue how it should be spelled. So he did what any other spelling champ in his place would have done.
He guessed.
"W-a-s-s-e-l," he said, slowly sounding out each letter.
The 13-year-old from Oxnard came close to spelling the word correctly. But close doesn't count in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Cory was eliminated in the opening rounds of the 81st annual contest Thursday after misspelling "wassail" during the oral competition and missing nine other words on a written exam.
Because Cory misspelled his word during the oral competition, he needed to correctly spell at least 20 of the 25 words on the written exam to stay in the contest. Cory got just 16 of the 25 words right on the written exam and failed to advance to the quarterfinals.
"The bad thing is I knew 85 percent of all of the other words," the seventh-grader said. "Why couldn't I have gotten a different word?"
Afterward, Cory headed for a dictionary to see exactly what "wassail" means. While the word has several definitions, one of the most common refers to spiced ale or mulled wine generally consumed on Christmas Eve.
Cory, a computer enthusiast who loves crossword puzzles and opera, was one of 288 champion spellers competing in the national bee. Cory earned his spot in the national competition by winning the Ventura County spelling bee in March. He represented the Ventura County Star in the national contest.
Ninety spellers made it through the early rounds and advanced to the quarterfinals on Thursday. The champion will be crowned tonight during the finals, which will be broadcast live on ABC.
Cory, a home-schooler, said he thought he'd done well enough on the written exam to advance to the quarterfinals. But, he said, he also recognizes spelling fortunes can turn on just one word once a speller steps up to the microphone.
"It's kind of a luck thing," he said. "The one word could be something really easy — or it could be something horribly hard like wassail' that you've never seen before."
Even though Cory was knocked out of the competition early, he said he still enjoyed the experience. Now, he not only knows how to spell "wassail," but he also knows what it means. And, for him, learning the definition of new words is more fun than learning how to spell them.
"What's the use of knowing how to spell a word if you can't use it?'' he asked. "It's a great thing to learn new words."
Posted by GitRdone on May 30, 2008 at 5:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CORY,
YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF FOR GOING AS FAR AS YOU DID. I'M SURE YOUR PARENTS & FAMILY ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU. YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING THAT NOT EVERY STUDENT ACCOMPLISHES & THAT IS SOMETHING TO NEVER FORGET.
CONGATULATIONS CORY !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2008 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cory! I agree.........YOU came along way just to get there. Be proud. Its unfortunate they gave you a word that your or I wouldn't know how to spell. But your very intelligent and going far in life. Congrats for getting as far as you did !!!!!!!! Your awesome!!
Posted by RedTail on May 30, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"What's the use of knowing how to spell a word if you can't use it?'' he asked. "It's a great thing to learn new words."
What a smart kid! Congratulations Cory!
Posted by oxnard40 on May 30, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you sure word wasn't "WHAAASSUUPPP"
Posted by Old_Fart on May 30, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Impressive showing nonetheless.
Congratulations on making it that far from someone who would be lost without spell check!
Posted by hotwildflower on May 30, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He has done an excellent job to get where he is, although the story comes off a little harsh.
I am sure Cory will do very well in life, this is just the beginning of great things! :)
Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on May 30, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cory you should be very proud of yourself. You'll get'm next year. I know I would be in a lot of trouble without my spell check!
"Oxnard40" - you're a dork but funny! You made my Friday.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on May 30, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ventura County Star - I dont know if anyone agrees with me, but wasnt this kind of a harsh headline? Geez. (not the one on this page, but on the front page)
Good job Cory!
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on May 30, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Eliminated in the opening rounds, oxnard teen tries to spell word he didnt know"
Maybe I just took it the wrong way.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tiredofviolence , Nope that is what I thought when I first read it.
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