Port Byron Boy Exits National Spelling Bee

The Quad Cities representative in the Scripp's National Spelling Bee won't forget the word 'pontifical' anytime soon. 'Pontifical is the word that tripped up 11 year-old Daniel Healy yesterday, ending his participation in the competition to determine the country's best speller.

Daniel had won the right to represent our area in a local contest held earlier this year.

According to Google, the word 'pontifical' means both:

1. (in the Roman Catholic Church) relating to the Pope. "a pontifical commission"
2. characterized by a pompous and superior air of infallibility.

Hold your head high, Daniel, and thanks for representing us so well.

Read more about Daniel's experience at the spelling bee in the Dispatch-Argus.