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Samir Patel Is Still My Spelling Hero

A couple of astute FrontBurnervians sent along this ESPN profile of Samir Patel, the Colleyville kid who spelled words and broke hearts the past two years at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Whose heart? Well, mine for one, which is why the FrontBurnervians are astute. They know what a big fan I have been — and continue to be — of Patel. The Bee just won’t be the same without him. (Also, hi Robert.)

SO LONG, SAMIR

It’s official. Samir Patel is out of the competition. A bee-cheering FrontBurnervian has pledged allegiance to Amy Chyao:

Regardless of whether she’s the DMN rep. Here’s the word *she* got right this round: “drepanocytosis.” Seriously, isn’t that the equiv of a quintuple lutz or something? Whew!

It’s a valid reason, but she can never dream of filling the Samir-shaped hole in my heart.

SAMIR GOES DOWN! SAMIR GOES DOWN!

I don’t know what to say. Samir Patel, a favorite to win the whole shebang, is out in the fifth round — done in by “clevis,” a U-shaped or forked metal connector. Samir spelled it “c-l-e-v-i-c-e.” Which is allegedly and apparently wrong.

I’m at a loss.

Go, Amy Chyao. (I guess.)

SAMIR PATEL IS COASTING

By the way, Round 3 brought the “trumpery.” Samir brought the funk. He rolls to Round 4.

SAMIR PATEL IS A SPELLER

In case you were worried Samir was going to choke in one of the early rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, worry no more: His word was “décor” and he nailed it. (I wonder if he even gave the judges the “accent aigu” over the “e” to show off. I bet he did.)

SAMIR PATEL, I HOPE YOU BROUGHT YOUR SPELLING PANTS

Tomorrow is the first day of the two-day Scripps National Spelling Bee. Anyone who knows me even a little knows which speller I think is the bee’s knees: no. 247 representing the Star-Telegram Samir Patel. I have long used this space to celebrate Patel (sorry the 2005 archives aren’t still with us), and I hope he gives me even more reasons to do so tomorrow. Chances are he will: Patel has competed in five straight bees, tying for third and second. By the way, Samir, I’m not the only one expecting big things outta you.

RE: SAMIR HAUNTS MY DREAMS

With heavy heart I tell you, A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago is reporting that Samir Patel … is out.

Chin up, Samir. You’re still a champion in my book.

Update: AP says Samir made it to primetime. I’m so confused. Expect another update shortly.

Update Update: Samir is done. Finito. Kaput. O-v-e-r. Says so here. “Eremacausis” got the best of him.

RE: SAMIR HAUNTS MY DREAMS

A kind FrontBurnervian points out my heart is not unique among those whose Samir’s arrows have struck. ESPN.com has this handicap of the Bee, with Samir Patel on top. The finals are on primetime tonight, meaning many Mavs- and spelling-loving FrontBurnervians have a difficult choice ahead of them.

SAMIR HAUNTS MY DREAMS

It’s bee time, baby. Last year, speller Samir Patel broke my heart. But he’s back again this year to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Some local media outlets have adopted Richardson’s 12-year-old Amy Chyao. But my money’s on Fort Worth’s Samir. Seriously. That’s not just an expression. Daddy’s got five dimes on that kid. Make me proud. So far so good: Samir (and Amy) have advanced to the third round.

Live-blogging of the event can be found here.

SAMIR HAS 1/3 CHANCE OF WINNING NOW

Rajiv Tarigopula of St. Louis missed “odylic.” Samir Patel now faces Anurag Kashyap of San Diego and Aliya Deri of San Francisco. Don’t let the West Coast Spellahz take you down, Samir.

NIKHIL, YOU DISSAPOINT ME

I was all excited to post an entry about the fact you, our DMN-sponsored entrant, were still alive in the 9th round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. But in the time it took me to track down your bio, you bust out on “perissad.” “P-o-r-i-s-a-d”? Really, Nikhil. Sixth-grader and Star-Telegram puppet Samir Patel, you’re our only hope.