He plans to ‘bee’ back: Astorga eliminated in first round of national competition

Enzo Astorga thinks as he spells a word during round one of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee preliminaries May 28 in National Harbor, Md. Astorga was eliminated in the first round and placed 192nd. (Photo provided by Craig Hudson/Scripps National Spelling Bee)

BELPRE – Belpre City Schools fifth-grader Enzo Astorga participated in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the end of May and had a great time, though he didn’t win.

Astorga, 11, won the 43rd annual Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee in March by spelling “languish” correctly to earn a spot along with 244 others in the national spelling bee that was held in Oak Harbor, Md., May 28 to June 3. He was one of only 18 fifth graders and 26 11-year-olds to compete in the national bee.

According to the spelling bee’s website, Astorga finished 192nd along with 50 other spellers, all of whom were eliminated in the first round. He went out on the word “chopine” spelling it c-h-a-p-e-e-n. According to Merriam Webster’s website, a “chopine” is a type of woman’s shoe from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Astorga’s mother, Stacey Schimke, went with him to the national bee. She said even though he went out in the first round they had a good time.

“We still had a really good time and enjoyed it,” Schimke said.

Belpre City Schools student Enzo Astorga, 11, smiles as he participates in round one of the preliminaries on May 28 during the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md. Astorga placed 192nd after being eliminated during the first round. (Photo provided by Craig Hudson/Scripps National Spelling Bee)

She said the bee went well and that it was very organized and impressive.

According to Schimke, she and Astorga went on a trolley tour of Washington, D.C., went to the International Spy Museum, saw the Capitol and visited other monuments and museums.

“He had a really good time,” she said.

According to Schimke, Astorga is thankful he got to go to the national bee even though he didn’t win.

Astorga agreed with his mother that he enjoyed the national bee and said it was really fun.

“I didn’t get that far, but I was able to do good in the (Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee),” Astorga said of his performance in the national bee.

According to Astorga, his favorite part of the national bee was Bee Week, where participants got to eat food, collect signatures from each other, and more. Astorga liked seeing the museums in Washington and definitely has a favorite.

“My favorite was the Museum of Illusions,’ he said.

Astorga said the museum was full of illusions that “trick your brain.” According to its website, the Museum of Illusions has exhibits featuring holograms, stereograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms.

Astorga is not planning on letting his first-round loss stop him. He said he plans on participating in spelling bees next year to try to get back to the national bee because he heard they are doing something special for their 100th anniversary. He also said he wants to get farther in the national bee next year.