Spelling bee champ says he was nervous but likes spotlight

Published: 2004-06-07

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS) -- Be forewarned, future young spellers of the United States, that David Scott Tidmarsh, the 2004 national spelling bee champion, may bequeath his talents to younger brother Kevin. Besides admitting he probably will pass on his word lists to his sibling, Tidmarsh, 14, said June 7 he is enjoying his time in the spotlight following his besting 264 other spellers June 3 at the 77th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington. He spelled 39 words correctly and won the competition with the word "autochthonous," meaning indigenous. "The place just exploded" with enthusiasm, he said in an interview with Today's Catholic, newspaper of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese. Tidmarsh's mom, Jan, his dad, Jay, and his three siblings belong to Little Flower Parish in South Bend.

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