Tommy Foster will represent Hillsborough County in the Scripps Spelling Bee this week

Spelling champ going back to Nat'l bee

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Tommy Foster of Carrollwood was one of three Bay area youngsters who competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
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Posted: 05/29/2011

By: Ellen McNamara

TAMPA - Starting Tuesday, the best spellers in the country will be in Washington D.C. to take part in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Twelve year old Tommy Foster is representing Hillsborough County, and this is not the first time he has been to the bee.

Tommy Foster can spell just about anything.

"K-O-O-K-A-B-U-R-R-A," Foster said.

He uses his arm to visualize the words. It is a technique that got him to the spelling bee last year.

"C-H-R-Y-S-A-L-I-S," Foster said.

Before Foster nailed that word in front of thousands, he let his personality shine.

"What's up Doc?" Foster asked Dr. Bailey as he stepped up to the microphone in 2010.

That moment is something his mom will never forget.

"Jim and I turned to each other and we were both agast and thought, 'oh, he did not,'" Chris Foster said. "We thought he had been disrespectful."

The candid line made possible by the cute kid from Carrollwood did not offend anyone. He also helped lighten the mood during the stressful competition. It is a competition that Foster is ready for again.
"I know what to expect now," Foster said.

Foster can expect to compete with more than 270 other spellers. There will be a computer test, and then an oral round.

If Foster does well, he could be one of 50 spellers duking it out on ESPN. A round he did not advance to last year.

His parents know there is a lot of pressure, and they try not to add to it.

"The more nervous you are, the harder it is to do well because you are always afraid you'll mess up," Foster said.

With just a few days to go, Foster does not seem nervous. Even when you look at the book of words that could come his way.

Ellen McNamara said, "That's a big dictionary!"

Foster smiled and said, "Yeah! Sure is!"

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is from May 31st to June 2nd. On June 1st, the rounds will be broadcast live on ESPN. Besides Foster, there are students from Manatee and Polk counties representing the bay area. The winner will take home $30,000.