Desis account for a mere 0.67% of America’s population but a whopping 37% of the Spelling Bee 2009 semifinalists.
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Statistic of the Day – Desis in Spelling Bee 2009 added by SearchIndia.com on
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Indians start at very young age via
http://www.northsouth.org
As you probably know, they hold contests grouped into Junior, Intermediate or Senior levels for children from first through twelfth grade.
I don’t know if other communities have this sort of a competition.
which is sort of rehearsal for the actual thing.. As the contest starts from first grade, they are very well prepared.. Kid of yours truly won at regional level.. we are headed to nationals in August.. at a place very near yours.. University of Maryland.. Will let you know if we win! Will get to visit White House for the first time because of this.
Why are they not inviting kids from India?!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. It’s not just the local competition et al that counts.
Family support is very strong in South Asian families compared to Caucasians. That makes a big difference. If you listen to the interviews of desi Spelling Bee toppers, they all credit their parents for extraordinary support. Plus sibling participation and prestige of Spelling Bee in Indian community are other key factors for the extraordinary success rates of desi kids in the competition.
2. You write: Why are they not inviting kids from India?!
Others would stand no chance. 1-500 would be Indians. 🙂
Good Luck to your kid in the Nationals.
Probably this unusual stat has something to do with the phonetics of Indian languages where stress or emphasis of the word is important (taking nothing away from the hardwork put in by the kids).
What is the percentage of Indians among the participants vis-a-vis those reaching the semis?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Probably this unusual stat has something to do with the phonetics of Indian languages where stress or emphasis of the word is important
Doubt it. These are all ABCDs and the way they pronounce Indian words is certainly not euphony to the ears.
2. You write: What is the percentage of Indians among the participants vis-a-vis those reaching the semis?
No idea of the the percentage of Indians among the participants vis-a-vis those reaching the semis because the initial rounds are conducted at the individual state-level.
In the first round at national level, out of 293 desi kids were 31, i.e. 10.6%.
isn’t on espn from 10 am – 1 pm if you are interested
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Tks.
Watching.