By Kevin Opsahl, Observer Staff Writer
A local teen will try a second time to become the nation’s top speller when he competes with his peers in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month.
Keith Lee, an eighth grader attending Albuquerque Academy, is set to travel to National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., for the competition, now in its 100th year, from May 27-29. He is able to participate, having won the New Mexico Spelling Bee March 29.
Lee admits he spent some time relaxing following the state bee, but he is not one who often looks back.
“I like to think forward and not get stuck too much on one thing because that helps me focus,” Lee said. “It helps me set goals, which I realize have helped me prepare a lot for these competitions.”