Winning school spelling bees is becoming a habit for Brad James, an eighth grader at Waldon Middle School.
The 13-year-old has won school bees four years in succession, beginning as a fifth grader at Carpenter Elementary and continuing for the past three years at Waldon.
Brad will be among those students competing in the Oakland Press Spelling Bee on Feb. 25 at Oakland University’s Varner Hall.
Brad says he’ll approach the upcoming competition as he has in the past.
‘They give us lists of words to work on,? says Brad. ‘I go over them a few times and then my mom helps me with it the night before.?
With three major spelling bees under his belt, Brad doesn’t expect to be as intimidated as he was when he was younger.
‘It can be pretty nerve-wracking,? he says. ‘You never know what word you’re going to get. If I can make it to the third or fourth round, that’s pretty good. I’d be happy with that.?
Brad’s mother, Evelyn, says her son has been an avid reader since he was quite young. ‘He’s always caught on to words very quickly,? she says.
While he may not spend a great deal of time in preparation for the big event, Brad thinks he’ll be ready. However, he will not be overconfident.
‘Last year I went out on the first word,? he recalls. ‘I don’t want to do that again.?
His past experience should help in this year’s bee, says Brad, as should his ability to mentally image the spelling words.
‘When I hear the word, I can usually picture it in my head,? he says. ‘With the easier words it’s kind of subconscious. But on the harder ones, I have to picture the words in my head.?
It’s a method that has served him well in spelling and his other classes at Waldon. His favorite subjects include math and science, and he aspires to a career that applies both disciplines.
‘I’ve been thinking about going to MIT, but I know that would be very hard,? he says. ‘I’d kind-of like to be a chemist.?
Besides his studies, Brad enjoys archery, his middle school forensics class and running track and cross country.
‘I’d like to be able to improve my times in track and cross country once I get to the high school,? he says.
When he faces his competition at the Oakland Press Spelling Bee, Brad expects to have his share of supporters.
‘My friend, Rick, has been encouraging me a lot,? he says. ‘And my parents give me a lot of support. They try not to put too much pressure on me, but they’re very supportive.?
Brad is the son of Evelyn and Bryan James. He has a 12-year-old sister, Breanna.