T.V. Time

This is Alison in her national television debut, contemplating how to spell an insanely difficult word in the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.  Actually, if you were watching it on ESPN back in 1999, you probably didn't see her.  The first three rounds were not televised.  By the fourth round, the field of 248 contenders was weeded down to 49 and they turned on the cameras.  After the first several spellers had their chance, they cut away for a commercial just as Alison stepped up to the mike.  The competition continued without the television audience during the ads and Alison was eliminated with her first misspelled word.  She won 22nd place and earned herself $150.  Needless to say, we were extremely proud of her!

She had a few other TV appearances in our little town of Sioux City, Iowa as she competed with her school's Quiz Bowl team against other local high schools.  It was fun to see our freshman daughter battling it out with the seniors and juniors.  She easily held her own.

As I am typing this blog entry, Alison is in Los Angeles competing in T.V.'s Jeopardy!  We are sitting here desperately hoping the phone doesn't ring.  If she wins a game, she stays to tape another.  The longer we wait for her call, the better she's done.  (And the more money she's won!)

I'm sorry to tell you that you won't know the outcome until the show airs in July.  We will be bound to secrecy.  But if we are really pushing for you to watch when it finally airs this summer, take it as a good sign!