It can be lonely at the top.
Justin Bergen, 13, is representing Bulkley Valley Christian School at the Prince George Citizen Regional Spelling Bee for the last time this year. But for the Grade 8 student to earn the right to defend his title, he had to be somewhat ruthless during his school's spelling bee.
"I beat my best friend," Bergen said from his home in Smithers. "I wasn't really all that excited that I beat him."
After winning $5,000 from the Egg Farmers of Canada and a trip to Toronto for the Postmedia Canspell national final last year, Bergen is hoping he can hold his own one more time against a new crop of contenders - including the Li sisters from Prince George.
Nerves aren't a factor for the former champion, who placed 13th in the 2011 national competition.
"I feel excited and I hope to win again," he said.
While his spare time is mainly occupied with video games, reading, playing the drums or hanging out with his friends, Bergen said he makes sure to set aside time everyday to prepare for the regional bee.
This is a step up from the two days of dedicated practice he put in prior to his school competition.
"Before that, I just did it at random and would go through word lists with my mom," Bergen explained.
This string of spelling success is a complete 180-degree shift from Bergen's previous bee attempts. Before the 2011 competition, he was unable to get past his school contests.
Bergen attributes the change to a switch in the person calling the words.
"The pronouncer did change in the third year I was in the school spelling bee," he said, explaining he has some hearing problems. "I could hear the words a little clearer."
Although he will be leaving Bulkley Valley after this year, Bergen said he would like to continue in the art of spelling.
"I'd like to keep doing it for as long as I can," he said.
Any prospective spellers who are looking for some extra help in their own quest to knock Bergen from his throne can look to the Prince George Public Library.
On Feb. 25, the Bob Harkins branch of the library will be holding a spelling bee workshop at 2 p.m.
Regional competitors are invited to come and learn the procedure for the March 3 event at Vanier Hall and hear from former competitors as well as from someone who has experience at the judges table.
The Prince George Citizen regional finals of the Canspell National Spelling Bee kicks off March 3 at Vanier Hall in Prince George secondary school. Spellers take the stage at 1 p.m.
