Stupid Parents Suing Over Spelling Bee

[UndercoverGator]

Parents protest child's spelling bee loss
RAY HAGAR
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 2/8/2006

FAST FACT
The spelling bee is conducted for students in grades six, seven and eight by the school district, Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno and private schools in the county.

Parents of an O'Brien Middle School eighth-grader are demanding an instant replay of the Washoe County Spelling Bee after their daughter was eliminated despite spelling a word correctly.

"I'm a momma bear with her bear claws out," Cindy Beckman said. "Spellers and academic children don't get all the accolades that the sports kids do. This is one of their few chances to shine, to get attention and look what happens."

Organizers of the bee -- which includes public, private and home-schooled students -- said they would not grant eighth-grader Sara Beckman another chance even though she had spelled "discernible" correctly.

Beckman's parents did not follow the rules of the bee and protest the judges' mistake immediately after it was made, Washoe County School District spokesman Steve Mulvenon said.

Cindy Beckman and stepfather Jeff Wood waited until the bee was completed to file their protest. The parents said they were unaware of the rule. Bee organizers said rules were announced during the Tuesday event at the University of Nevada, Reno.

"We were trying to be respectful by not interrupting," Wood said. "Sara started crying because she knew that she had the word right. Her teacher was saying, "Hey, this (judges' decision) is not right." Cindy is saying, "Hey this is not right." We rushed down to check a dictionary and came right back to let them know, and they still would not change it."

Sara Beckman finished third but the judges' mistake denied her a shot at first place, her mother said.

"I'll take this to the U.S. Supreme Court," Cindy Beckman said. "I will take this to the International Court of law to fight for my baby's rights."

Mulvenon said "it would be a poor use of taxpayer resources to defend a lawsuit about a spelling bee."

"I would hope that rather than taking legal action, that the parents would come in and talk about their concerns and see if we can find a way to resolve this issue," Mulvenon said. "We would be more than happy to meet with them."

Sara Beckman said she would endure the pressure of an extra round for the chance to win the championship.

"I really do want another chance," she said. "If I had gotten the word wrong, it would be OK, but this is just not fair."

Judges do not deny their mistake but must follow the bee's rule of a timely protest, Mulvenon said.

"She (Sara) spelled the word correctly, that is not in question," Mulvenon said. "The issue is that there is a way and a process to do a timely challenge, and nobody challenged it until after the fact."

"The analogy that I would give, in the NFL, if the coach is going to throw a challenge flag, they have got to do it before the next play begins," Mulvenon said. "Once you go beyond that point, you can't go back."

Cindy Beckman said bee organizers showed her more than three pages of rules and said it would be difficult for any spectator or parent to absorb the rules before or during the event.

"All I want is for them to give her another chance," Cindy Beckman said. "This is her last year for the spelling bee."

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...602080350/1002

Okay, it's a shame the parents weren't on the ball enough to protest at the correct time but give me a fucking break, suing?? Going to the Supreme Court? Someone has spoiled asshole entitlement issues. I hate parents like these.

[ourmaninBusan]

Um, what's at stake here? A blue ribbon? It's a bit too early for
scholarship money to be involved.

[milky*mcgee]

Can we spell, "l-i-t-i-g-i-o-u-s"?

Although I do feel bad for the little girl, especially since she spelled the word right. But can't she just get a gold star or something? Jeesh.

^ETA: We posted at the same time. A blue ribbon, gold star, I agree.

[buttmunch]

I can spell litigious and I can spell stupid, too. I can sort of see the parent's point but to say they'll 'take it the Supreme Court' etc is just dumb. How about using this experience as a chance to teach thier sure ot annoying daughter that hey, life just ain't fair.

[Glasgow53]

Butty, that is exactly what I was thinking. This is a good time to teach the kid that just because you are right about something doesn't mean you win. Sometimes there are mistakes made. Give the kid a consolation prize for the mistake and move on.

[SVZ]

Hey c'mon guys. They obviously need the medal or ribbon to cover up the bullet holes in their trailer.

[milky*mcgee]

I can spell litigious and I can spell stupid, too. I can sort of see the parent's point but to say they'll 'take it the Supreme Court' etc is just dumb. How about using this experience as a chance to teach thier sure ot annoying daughter that hey, life just ain't fair.

I wasn't responding to your post with mine, that's just how people seem to be today in general. litigious. Over the top so, and it SUCKS!

I totally agree it's stupid to sue!

Life isn't fair, but I still think it would be no biggie to give the girl a ribbon.

[buttmunch]

Oops, I think that came across as me being snarky, but wasn't meant to. I thought your post was hilarious and was stealing some of your thunder by expanding upon it.

[milky*mcgee]

Oops, I think that came across as me being snarky, but wasn't meant to. I thought your post was hilarious and was stealing some of your thunder by expanding upon it.

^I read it again...I do see the snark.

No amount of coffee today is waking me up, I guess!

Buttmunch, it would be an honor to share my thunder!

[buttmunch]

Kaboom, baby!!!

[A*O]

Oh for f&cks sake - give the kid a I Tried Hard badge or a I Took Part ribbon like they give ALL kids who do ANYTHING these days. Give the parents a I'm A Wanker certificate too.

[buttmunch]

I'm sorry, Ms. Monkeymix, I'm first in line for the 'I'm a wanker' certificate. Actually, I'd like a badge or maybe even a tshirt.

[Tiara]

I hate parents like this. I highly doubt this woman has her daughter's feelings in mind. She's probably more interested in the money, why else would she be trying to sue over something so trivial. Sure you'd be pissed off and maybe (if you were that obsessed with your kid getting a blue ribbon or whatever) you'd complain to the judge or whoever, but to sue is just money hungry.

[A*O]

Here's a badge you can print off and wear with pride:



Oh shit, I guess I've portrayed Dubya in a disrespectful fashion so no doubt the Republican neocons will be burning down buildings and baying for blood. Ah well, it's all the rage at the moment.

[MgMMD]

Oh.Good.Fuck
Life is tough get a helmet